Cessna 210L accident near Santa Ana, California, July 16, 1982
On July 16, 1982 at about 9:41 pm local time, a Cessna 210L, registered N59242, was substantially damaged in an accident near Santa Ana, California (John Wayne Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 1982 · about 9:41 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Ana, California · John Wayne Airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210L · all 210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N59242 · no longer on the register · serial 21060175
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ABOUT 3 MI SE OF THE ARPT, WITH GEAR DOWN & FULL FLAPS, THE ENG FUEL PRESSURE WENT TO ZERO & THE ENG LOST POWER. THE PLTDID NOT DECLARE AN EMERGENCY, BUT ADVISED TOWER THAT THE ACFT LOST THE FUEL PRESSURE. THE PLT WAS THEN CLEARED FOR A LANDING ON RWY 19R. AS HE WAS DESCENDING ON BASE LEG FOR 19R, THE PLT REALIZED HE COULD NOT LAND ON 19R & ELECTED TO LAND ON THE TAXIWAY PERPENDICULAR TO THE APCH ENDS OF RWYS 19L & 19R. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN AIRPORT FREQUENCY SIGN, THEN VEERED AND COLLIDED WITH N2MU HOLDING FOR DEPARTURE ON 19R. THE FUEL PUMP CAVITY WAS FOUND CONTAMINATED WITH RUST & WATER. IN 12/79 NTSB ISSUED 2 SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE CESSNA 200 SERIES ACFT FUEL VAPOR PROBLEMS.
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: 1,157 hours in all; 359 in this make and model; 1,120 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,816 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,812 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Parker AZ at 1:30 pm
- Destination: OSU Columbus OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 5,700 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 162°F (72°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.