Cessna T210F accident near Fairplay, Colorado, July 30, 1999
On July 30, 1999 at about 2:45 pm local time, a Cessna T210F, registered N6125R, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fairplay, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to a partial failure of the turbocharger.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 30, 1999 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Fairplay, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210F · all T210Fs on the register
- Registration
- N6125R · no longer on the register · serial T210-0025
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed the airport and leveled off at a cruising altitude of 14,500 feet msl. He leaned the mixture and set a cruise power setting of 24 inches of manifold pressure and 2400 rpm. Shortly thereafter, the manifold pressure dropped to 22 inches. He applied power, and the manifold pressure was briefly restored, then dropped again. He found an open field in which to make an emergency landing. Prior to touching down, the left wing impacted a tree, and the aircraft nosed over upon impact with the ground. Following the accident, a teardown inspection was performed on the turbocharger. Evidence of rotational scoring was found on the turbine components. The rotation of the thrust bearing was allowed by the displacement of the anti-rotation pins below the surface of the center housing. Rotational score marks on the back side of the turbine wheel provided evidence that the turbine wheel had contacted the turbine shroud. According to the aircraft maintenance records, the last major overhaul of the turbocharger was accomplished in 1987
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
- Flight time: 1,657 hours in all; 670 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,556 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,189 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 2, 1998; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: APA Englewood CO at 2:00 pm
- Destination: ASE Aspen CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:56 pm from LXV, 15 miles away
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.