Cessna T210L accident near Tranquility, California, April 7, 2005
On April 7, 2005 at about 4:03 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N8126L, was destroyed in an accident near Tranquility, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's in-flight loss of control due to spatial disorientation and a likely accumulation of airframe ice that led to a high speed descent and a structural breakup once the aerodynamic forces exceeded the strength limits of the structure. A factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of experience and training in instrument flight conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2005 · about 4:03 pm local time
- Place
- Tranquility, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N8126L · registry record · serial 21060613
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
About 1 hour into the flight the airplane entered an uncontrolled descent and broke up in flight. The pilot, who did not possess an instrument flight rating, had received a standard weather briefing from a flight service station prior to departure. The briefer advised the pilot that a cold front existed perpendicular to the airplane's route of flight that produced multiple cloud layers to 30,000 feet, overcast conditions, rain, nimbostratus clouds, moderate turbulence, and moderate icing conditions along the frontal boundary. The airplane's radar track depicted the airplane cruising at 13,400 feet mean sea level (msl) on a steady southeasterly course. Analysis of the weather conditions showed that the flight encountered instrument meteorological conditions and ice as it approached the frontal boundary. Weather radar imagery depicted an encounter with the western edge of two bands of radar echoes, which could be associated with strong up- or downdrafts that could result in an upset to the airplane. If the autopilot system were engaged it would have masked the trim and heading changes that usually accompanies ice accumulation, and upon disengagement of the autopilot system, the airplane would be in an unbalanced flight condition. Recorded radar data showed that the last radar return in line with the southeasterly course occurred at 0901:54, with a mode C reported altitude of 13,400 feet msl. The next three radar returns occurred between 0901:59 and 0902:14, and depicted the track in a right-hand turn and a descent to 12,400 feet msl, which was the last identified altitude. This change in altitude corresponded to a 3,000- to 4,000-feet-per-minute rate of descent. Numerous primary targets in patterns indicative of an in-flight breakup were identified in the same vicinity from 0902:14 to 0903:08. Examination of the wreckage revealed permanent set deformation of the structural elements of the wings and horizontal stabilizers that was indicative of positive aerodynamic loading beyond the structures yield point. All fractures were overload in character. The wreckage was widely scattered over a distance in excess of 1,600 yards.
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: 576 hours in all; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 576 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,415 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 24, 2004; 33 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-H4 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSTS Santa Rosa CA at 3:00 pm
- Destination: KSDL Scottsdale AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from KNLC, 30 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.