Cessna P210N accident near Palm Springs, California, May 31, 1991
On May 31, 1991, a Cessna P210N, registered N818BF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 1991
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · Palm Springs · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N818BF · registry record · serial 370
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A CESSNA P210N VEERED OFF RUNWAY 12 AND COLLIDED WITH A SAND BANK AND NOSED OVER. THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL AS THE PILOT DECELERATED THE AIRPLANE WITH APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES. THE PILOT REPORTED HE APPLIED FULL RIGHT RUDDER. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO TURN LEFT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 130 DEGREES AT 15 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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,517 hours in all; 1,150 in this make and model; 39 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,423 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,270 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 1991; 75 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-P (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LGB Long Beach CA at 11:30 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 8,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| 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.