Cessna P210N accident near Lander, Wyoming, February 17, 2005
On February 17, 2005 at about 2:20 pm local time, a Cessna P210N, registered N4912K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lander, Wyoming. It was a flight of an unrecorded kind under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 17, 2005 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Lander, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4912K · no longer on the register · serial P21000364
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During initial takeoff climb, the engine lost power and the pilot executed a forced landing which resulted in an impact with terrain. According to the pilot, prior to takeoff, the fuel tanks were topped off with fuel. The pilot completed a "normal" preflight and engine run-up prior to departure from runway 3. During the initial takeoff climb approximately 500 feet agl, the engine lost power. The pilot executed a left turn and attempted a forced landing to the airport. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and came to rest upright on a municipal golf course. Examination of the airplane revealed engine continuity from the crankshaft to the valve train and accessory gears when the crankshaft was rotated by hand. Thumb compression was noted on all cylinders. Fuel was found in the fuel lines from the tank to the engine. No anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
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: 3,394 hours in all; 2,680 in this make and model; 53 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 3,394 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LND Landers WY at 2:20 pm
- Destination: WRL Worland WY
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.
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.