Cessna T210M accident near Phoenix, Arizona, April 13, 2005
On April 13, 2005 at about 5:55 pm local time, a Cessna T210M, registered N732SY, was substantially damaged in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona (Phoenix Deer Valley Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2005 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Phoenix, Arizona · Phoenix Deer Valley Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N732SY · registry record · serial 21061749
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power and collided with a truck while performing a forced landing on an interstate highway. The pilot stated that prior to landing he switched the fuel selector to the fullest tank. He scanned the cockpit gauges (including the cylinder head temperature gauge) and noted no anomalies. As the airplane descended to pattern altitude he added throttle to maintain level flight. While pushing the throttle control forward, with the manifold pressure gauge showing about 20 inches, the engine sputtered and subsequently experienced a total loss of power. With the airplane at a low altitude, he realized that the airplane would not be able to reach the airport, and he began searching for the best terrain to perform an emergency landing. Being in a congested area, he opted to land in the grassy median between freeway lanes. The airplane collided with a truck during the forced landing. The airplane was last flown 3 days prior to the accident and afterward the fuel tanks were filled to capacity. Post accident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of a preimpact malfunction of failure.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,650 hours in all; 700 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,731.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 1, 2004; 60.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VGT Las Vegas NV
- Destination: DVT Phoenix AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07L, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DVT, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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 N732SY 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.