Cessna T210L accident near Columbus, Texas, July 22, 2004
On July 22, 2004 at about 6:30 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N5118Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Columbus, Texas (Robert R. Wells, Jr. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff roll and abort the attempted takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2004 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- Columbus, Texas · Robert R. Wells, Jr. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N5118Q · no longer on the register · serial 21059618
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on takeoff roll approximately 1,000 feet down the runway, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline. The pilot then applied right rudder pedal and attempted to correct the drift. Subsequently, the left drift continued and "appeared to worsen as aircraft progressed down the runway." The airplane exited the runway, impacted a fence and ditch, flipped over, and came to rest inverted. Prior to takeoff, the taxi to the runway was uneventful and an initial brake check was normal. Examination of the airplane's flight controls and brakes by the inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had accumulated 4 hours in the accident airplane.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 880 hours in all; 4 in this make and model; 47 in the last 90 days; 13 in the last 30 days; 450 as pilot in command; 3 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 18, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 3, 2003; 88 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-H (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 66R Columbus TX at 6:30 pm
- Destination: RVS Tulsa OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 15, 3,800 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.
Other NTSB records under N5118Q the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.