Cessna P210N accident near Elizabeth, Colorado, March 29, 2008
On March 29, 2008 at about 10:54 pm local time, a Cessna P210N, registered N4839P, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (descent) near Elizabeth, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the camshaft gear. Contributing to the accident 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
- March 29, 2008 · about 10:54 pm local time
- Place
- Elizabeth, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4839P · no longer on the register · serial P21000120
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During a normal descent on approach for landing at 8,500 feet mean sea level, the engine "let go/popped into a higher pitch sound, and the power dropped off. [The pilot] checked the fuel flow, tried to get power with the throttle, but no response." During a forced landing, the airplane impacted the side of a gravel road, traveled across the road, struck a ditch, and skidded on the fuselage bottom for approximately 75 feet were it came to rest upright in a residential yard. Examination of the engine exhibited fretting on all six cylinder decks and the main bearing case half sections. The number 2 main bearing support bearing tang lock-slot was found elongated. Various degrees of wear were noted on all crankshaft main bearings, and the number 2 main bearing showed additional wear. The crankshaft number 2 main journal exhibited signatures of thermal discoloration. All oil transfer galleries were free and clear of debris. The camshaft was intact, however, the camshaft gear had a semi-circular section with 7 gear teeth separated, which was found in the gearbox. Metallurgical examination showed the fracture initiated at the surface and progressed in fatigue. The initiation site was damaged; however, the approximate location was identified by crack arrest lines, which encircled the origin. The reason for the fracture initiation could not be 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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (descent) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,517 hours in all; 1,113 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 4,255 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,562 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2007; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LAA Lamar CO at 10:00 pm
- Destination: APA Denver CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 13 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.67 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from APA, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.