Cessna 210E accident near Natchitoches, Louisiana, May 8, 1985
On May 8, 1985 at about 10:34 pm local time, a Cessna 210E, registered N2367F, was substantially damaged in an accident near Natchitoches, Louisiana (Natchitoches Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 8, 1985 · about 10:34 pm local time
- Place
- Natchitoches, Louisiana · Natchitoches Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210E · all 210Es on the register
- Registration
- N2367F · no longer on the register · serial 21058567
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT EXPERIENCED PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO INGESTION OF THE ALTERNATE AIR DOOR SHAFT NEEDLE BEARING ROLLERS INTO THE ENGINE, AND CROSS FIRING OF THE RIGHT MAGNETO. HE REPORTEDLY CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND MADE A GEAR UP FORCED LANDING. THE AIRCRAFT SLID ACROSS A SMALL DITCH AND STOPPED. THE AIRCRAFT'S LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED ONLY ABOUT SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. POST ACCICENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED SEVERAL LOOSE CLAPMS ON THE AIR INDUCTION TUBES AND EVIDENCE OF CROSS FIRING THE RIGHT MAGNETO. INTERNAL EXAMINATION REVEALED STUCK COMPRESSION RINGS ON TWO PISTONS AND EVIDENCE OF INGESTION OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED NEEDLE BEARING ROLLERS.
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: 70 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from ESF, 50 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.