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Accidents · NTSB FTW87LA124 · Preliminary: the investigation is not finished

Cessna T210N accident near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, May 11, 1987

On May 11, 1987 at about 11:45 am local time, a Cessna T210N, registered N5342A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tahlequah, Oklahoma (Tahlequah Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. 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 11, 1987 · about 11:45 am local time
Place
Tahlequah, Oklahoma · Tahlequah Muni · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
Registration
N5342A · no longer on the register · serial 21063378
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

THE RIGHT BRAKE DISK SEPARATED FROM THE HUB WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED DURING LANDING ROLLOUT. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED LEFT OFF THE RUNWAY AND INTO A DRAINAGE DITCH WHERE THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CONTACTED THE GROUND, DAMAGING BOTH OF ITS SPARS.

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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
  • Flight time: 1,124 hours in all; 137 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 1,124 as pilot in command
  • Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
  • Seat: left

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 1,576 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection
  • Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine: Continental TSIO-520-L (piston); 0 hours total

The flight

  • Departed from: HAX Muskogee OK at 11:00 am
  • Destination: SZL Knob Noster MO
  • Flight plan: VFR
  • Runway 35, 3,200 ft by 60 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: dawn
  • Visibility: 15 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Crew1
Passengers2

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.