Cessna T210N accident near Pasendena, Texas, June 8, 1990
On June 8, 1990, a Cessna T210N, registered N5472Y, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pasendena, Texas (Ellington Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO AN UNDETERMINED REASON.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 1990
- Place
- Pasendena, Texas · Ellington Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N5472Y · no longer on the register · serial 21064217
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
FOLLOWING A RAPID DESCENT FROM 1,500 FEET TO 600 FEET, THE PILOT LEVELED OFF AND APPLIED ENGINE POWER AND RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. HIS EFFORTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL AND HE DECIDED TO EXECUTE A FORCED LANDING TO A FIELD. ON SHORT FINAL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK BRUSH, NOSED DOWN, AND FLIPPED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED ADEQUATE FUEL ON BOARD AND FUEL WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM AND ENGINE UP TO THE FLOW DIVIDER. FOLLOWING RECOVERY, THE ENGINE WAS TEST RUN WHILE STILL MOUNTED ON THE AIRFRAME, USING EXISTING CONTROLS AND AN IMPROVISED FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM. THE ENGINE STARTED AND WAS OPERATED UP TO POWER SETTINGS OF 2,000 RPM. THROUGHOUT THE RUNS THE ENGINE RESPONDED TO ALL THROTTLE MOVEMENTS WITHOUT HESITATION.
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: 1,194 hours in all; 347 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 1,155 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,706 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 21, 1989; 57 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LRU Las Cruces NM at 7:30 pm
- Destination: EFD Pasedena TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from EFD, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.