Cessna T210 accident near Buena Vista, Colorado, June 9, 2016
On June 9, 2016 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1982 Cessna T210, registered N9915Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Buena Vista, Colorado (Central Colorado Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. 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 landing roll in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and substantial damage to the firewall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 9, 2016 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Buena Vista, Colorado · Central Colorado Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210 N, built 1982 · all T210s on the register
- Registration
- N9915Y · no longer on the register · serial 21064637
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the landing flare he encountered a gust of wind and then during the landing roll the airplane departed the runway to the left. During the runway excursion, the right main landing gear separated from the airplane, and the airplane skidded on dirt and rocks parallel to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that 5 minutes before the accident wind conditions were 310 degrees true at 3 knots. The airplane was landing on runway 33. A review of recorded data from the automated weather observation station located on the airport revealed that 15 minutes after the accident wind conditions were 340 degrees true at 19 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,255 hours in all; 1,493 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 3,165 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 25, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,361 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 19, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors TSIO520R (piston); 830 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ALS Alamosa CO at 3:15 pm
- Destination: AEJ Buena Vista CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 8,303 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KAEJ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on July 15, 2016. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.