Cessna T210L accident near Jackpot, Nevada, August 19, 1992
On August 19, 1992 at about 3:15 am local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N93336, was substantially damaged in an accident near Jackpot, Nevada (Hayden Field). 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 PILOT ALLOWING HIMSELF TO BECOME DISTRACTED WHILE SEARCHING FOR A LANDING LIGHT SWITCH DURING A CRITICAL PHASE OF FLIGHT AND THE RESULTANT FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE LACK OF GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 19, 1992 · about 3:15 am local time
- Place
- Jackpot, Nevada · Hayden Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N93336 · no longer on the register · serial 21060366
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB HE WAS BOTHERED BY THE FLICKER EFFECT OF THE PROPELLER IN THE LANDING LIGHT. HE SAID HE LEANED TO THE RIGHT AND REACHED DOWN TO TURN OFF THE LIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT 'THEY [THE SWITCH LABELS] WERE DIFFICULT TO SEE AND I SPENT AN UNKNOWN, BUT EXCESSIVE, AMOUNT OF TIME TRYING TO MAKE SURE I WOULD TURN OFF THE CORRECT LIGHTS.' THE PILOT STATED THAT WHEN HE LOOKED UP THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. FAA INSPECTORS REPORTED THAT THERE ARE NO GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS ON THE DEPARTURE PATH OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE NIGHT WAS DARK WITH NO MOON.
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: 1,035 hours in all; 560 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 932 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,530 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 27, 1991; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-M (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 06U at 3:14 am
- Destination: IDA Idaho Falls ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 6,200 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Visibility: 20 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.