Cessna 210L accident near Monterey, California, September 9, 2003
On September 9, 2003 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna 210L, registered N93860, was substantially damaged in an accident near Monterey, California (Monterey airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in a loss of engine power during an instrument approach to land, and an in-flight collision with a tree and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 2003 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Monterey, California · Monterey · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210L · all 210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N93860 · no longer on the register · serial 21060439
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported a loss of engine power while on an instrument approach to an airport. He was unable to reach the airport, and collided with a tree short of the runway. Postaccident inspection disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane or its engine. Initial responders to the accident site noted an absence of fuel smell or visible fuel at the site, although one wing containing fuel tanks had separated during the accident. No evidence of any fuel stains were discovered anywhere on the airplane.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 16,000 hours in all; 2,400 in this make and model; 236 in the last 90 days; 68 in the last 30 days; 13,000 as pilot in command; 1,500 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 20, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Crew member
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 24, 2002; 35 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-H4B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: O22 Columbia CA at 9:20 pm
- Destination: KMRY Monterey CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,000 ft; ovct
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 pm from KMRY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 | |||
| 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.
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.