Cessna 210E accident near Williamsburg, Virginia, April 19, 2013
On April 19, 2013 at about 8:55 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 210E, registered N111BK, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Williamsburg, Virginia (Williamsburg-Jamestown Arpt airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a base-to-final turn with a gusting wind and potential turbulence/wind shear, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 19, 2013 · about 8:55 pm local time
- Place
- Williamsburg, Virginia · Williamsburg-Jamestown Arpt · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210E, built 1965 · all 210Es on the register
- Registration
- N111BK · registry record · serial 21058570
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot departed just ahead of a broken line of thunderstorms and rain showers to the west of his flight path and flew south to his destination airport without incident. The pilot reported on the common traffic advisory frequency that he was turning from the airport pattern base leg to final approach. According to witnesses, the airplane passed beyond the extended runway centerline of runway 13, entered a steep right turn toward runway 13, pitched down, and descended at a steep angle behind a tree line. The airplane impacted trees and terrain about ½ mile from the approach end of the runway. The wind at the time of the accident was reported to be from 180 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 28 knots. In addition, the area around the accident site was included in an airmen's meteorological information advisory for moderate turbulence and low-level wind shear. Postcrash examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Tailwind › Response/compensation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › (general) › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Decision related to condition
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,633 hours in all; 336 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 19 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: March 20, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,547 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 26, 2012; 32 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO 520 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VKX Potomac MD at 7:50 pm
- Destination: JGG Williamsburg VA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 13, 3,204 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 14 knots, gusting 28
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from JGG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on March 21, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aircraft Maintenance Records | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Logbook | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Retention / Release of Wreckage Form | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Photograph #1: Aft Starboard View of Wreckage (Courtesy of Williamsburg Fd) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photograph #2: Front Starboard View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Photograph #3: Port View of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.