Cessna T210L accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona, May 7, 2000
On May 7, 2000 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N1726X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Canyon, Arizona (Valle Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a crosswind and his failure to maintain directional control during landing, resulting in the airplane veering off the runway and the subsequent collision with a culvert.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 2000 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Canyon, Arizona · Valle Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N1726X · no longer on the register · serial 21060748
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During the landing roll the airplane veered to the right, went off the edge of the runway, and was then guided back over the runway by the pilot. The airplane crossed over the runway and veered off the left side before colliding with a culvert. A pilot-rated passenger seated in the right front seat described the approach and landing. Upon arrival in the airport traffic area, the pilot twice attempted to get a wind and runway advisory through the published airport UNICOM frequency (122.8) without success. He also stated that from their position the airport windsock, located within the segmented circle, appeared too small to be used in accurately determining wind direction. The pilot did not overfly the airfield, make a low pass along the runway, or make any other overt attempt to ascertain wind and runway information prior to landing. Observations at the airport indicated the wind was from 190 to 200 degrees, gusting 20 to 30 knots, at the time of the accident.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,012 hours in all; 406 in this make and model; 26 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 935 as pilot in command; 283 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 11, 1999
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,581 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2000; 5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSI0-520-H4B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DVT Phoenix AZ at 4:00 pm
- Destination: 40G Valle Airport AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 4,262 ft by 45 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 86°F (30°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from 40G
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 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.