Cessna P210R accident near Ogden, Utah, July 12, 1990
On July 12, 1990 at about 1:18 pm local time, a Cessna P210R, registered N6203A, was destroyed in an accident near Ogden, Utah (Ogden airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE #1 PISTON DUE TO PRE-IGNITION/DETONATION IN THE #1 CYLINDER, AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). THE OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 1990 · about 1:18 pm local time
- Place
- Ogden, Utah · Ogden · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210R · all P210Rs on the register
- Registration
- N6203A · no longer on the register · serial P2100870
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE TWO PLTS HAD DEPARTED ON A FLT TO GET TWO REVENUE PASSENGERS. THE LEFT SEAT PLT WAS AT THE CTLS WHEN A LOSS OF ENG POWER OCCURRED. HE MADE A 180 DEG TURN & WAS GLIDING DOWN A CANYON WHEN IT STRUCK AN UNMARKED POWER LINE AT THE MOUTH OF THE CANYON. IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 100 TO 200 FT AGL. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED EVIDENCE OF DETONATION/PREIGNITION & EXCESSIVE HEATING IN THE #1 CLYINDER & SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #1 PISTON.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 9,500 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 7,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,273 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 26, 1990; 44 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,118 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-CE (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Great Western Aviation, INC
The flight
- Departed from: OGD Ogden UT at 1:10 pm
- Destination: 334 Dutch John UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.