Cessna T210G accident near Ouray, Colorado, May 11, 2005
On May 11, 2005 at about 6:56 pm local time, a Cessna T210G, registered N6807R, was destroyed in an accident near Ouray, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions, loss of control, and resulting exceedence of the design stress limits of the aircraft. which led to an in-flight structural failure. Factors in the accident included the pilot's inadequate preflight and in-flight planning and decision making, the severe turbulence, and the mountain wave.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 11, 2005 · about 6:56 pm local time
- Place
- Ouray, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210G · all T210Gs on the register
- Registration
- N6807R · no longer on the register · serial T210-0207
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was reported missing and the Civil Air Patrol located the wreckage near Mt. Whitehouse. A debris path, approximately 1/2 mile wide and 1 1/2 miles long was located in mountainous terrain, varying in elevation from 10,000 feet to 12,800 feet mean seal level. National Track Analysis Program radar data depicted the accident flight from 1252:27 until 1856:17, and the altitude varied from 17,500 feet msl to 19,200 feet msl. The aircraft ground speed during this time was measured to be between 124 knots and 314 knots. No flight plan had been filed and no weather briefing had been obtained. An Airman's Meteorological Information (AIRMET) for occasional moderate turbulence below FL180 (Flight Level 18,000 feet) was valid. The last radar return from the accident airplane was located within this advisory area. In addition, an AIRMET for occasional moderate turbulence between FL180 and FL410 and possible mountain wave action had been issued. The last radar return from the accident airplane was located within this advisory area. The right wing was located 4,461 feet (0.8 miles) west of the main wreckage at an elevation of 11,175 feet msl. The left wing was located 2,772 feet (0.5 miles) west of the main wreckage at an elevation of 11,500 feet msl.. The debris path started with the right wing and continued in an easterly direction towards the main wreckage. The propeller was located directly above the main wreckage at an estimated altitude of 12,800 feet msl. The fuselage, engine, propeller, horizontal stabilizer, and elevator were not recovered. These could not be examined for anomalies. The airplane's systems, including the vacuum, pitot static, electrical, and powerplant, could not be examined for anomalies. No evidence of fatigue cracking or other type of preexisting fracture was noted within the recovered wings. No record of a preflight or in-flight weather briefing, obtained by the pilot, was located.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,360 hours in all; 1,210 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,225 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2005
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520M6B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PGA Page AZ at 5:50 pm
- Destination: Elbert CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observation at 6:48 pm from TEX, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N6807R the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.