Cessna P210 accident near Grass Valley, California, May 9, 2018
On May 9, 2018 at about 6:15 pm local time, a 1978 Cessna P210, registered N210BG, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Grass Valley, California (Nevada County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a long landing and a runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 2018 · about 6:15 pm local time
- Place
- Grass Valley, California · Nevada County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210 N, built 1978 · all P210s on the register
- Registration
- N210BG · registry record · serial P21000025
- 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, while en route, he noticed a loose camlock screw on the engine cowling and decided to land the airplane at the nearest airport. He added that, during the landing, he applied the brakes, but they had "minimal effect." As the airplane slowed "very slightly," he determined he could make the taxiway turn. But, he added that, "the left steering did not [a]ffect direction." The airplane exited the runway and went over the runway embankment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that the brakes failed to slow the airplane to a complete stop, and the nosewheel failed to turn. A local mechanic examined the brakes following the accident and found no anomalies. The airport manager reported that marks on the runway showed that the airplane had touched down about 1,000 to 1,500 ft beyond the approach end of the runway. Additionally, there was about a 15- ft-long skid mark showing a skidding left turn before the airplane exited the runway. Pictures submitted by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector showed the skid marks turning left while exiting the end of the runway. The airport supplement stated that runway 25 sloped downhill to the west.
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
- Landing area overshoot during landing
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
- Runway excursion during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven terrain › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,460 hours in all; 460 in this make and model; 6.4 in the last 90 days; 0.8 in the last 30 days; 1,460 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 17, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,482 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 3, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520-P (piston); 1,028 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O02 Beckwourth CA at 5:37 pm
- Destination: GOO Grass Valley CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25, 4,657 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from KGOO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N210BG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.