Cessna T-210 accident near Knippa, Texas, July 6, 1985
On July 6, 1985 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Cessna T-210, registered N5473C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Knippa, Texas (Bishop Farm airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. 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
- July 6, 1985 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Knippa, Texas · Bishop Farm · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T-210 · all T-210s on the register
- Registration
- N5473C · registry record · serial 21063763
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NEW OWNER WAS ATTEMPTING TAKEOFF FROM A DIRT ROAD OBSTRUCTED BY A MOBILE IRRIGATION SYSTEM. HE PULLED THE ACFT OFF THE GROUND AFTER 1700 FEET OF TAKEOFF ROLL. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED, HE LANDED IN A SOFT FLD AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE WHEEL STRUT FAILED.
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: 394 hours in all; 16 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 357 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,220 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 25, 1985; 24 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,600 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.