Cessna T210L accident near Shelter Cove, California, May 3, 1992
On May 3, 1992 at about 7:35 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N5468V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Shelter Cove, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE 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
- May 3, 1992 · about 7:35 pm local time
- Place
- Shelter Cove, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N5468V · no longer on the register · serial 2106075
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT HAD ABOUT 2 HOURS AND 30 MINUTES OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN THE FLIGHT DEPARTED FOR THE 235 NM TRIP. AFTER A 1.5 HOUR FLIGHT THE AIRCRAFT ARRIVED AT SHELTER COVE AND THE PILOT ENTERED A RIGHT BASE LEG FOR RUNWAY 30. ABOUT 1.5 MILES FROM THE RUNWAY AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1,500 FEET, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY QUIT. THE PILOT SAID HE TRIED ALL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES BUT COULD NOT AFFECT AN ENGINE RESTART. THE AIRCRAFT DITCHED ABOUT ONE HALF MILE OFFSHORE. THE OCCUPANTS WERE PICKED UP BY A PASSING FISHING BOAT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEVER RECOVERED FROM THE OCEAN.
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: 100 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 60 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,400 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 31, 1992; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-4HA (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SJC San Jose CA at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.