Cessna 210A accident near Mesquite, Nevada, June 24, 1994
On June 24, 1994 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Cessna 210A, registered N6659X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Mesquite, Nevada (Mesquite airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
EXHAUSTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM HYDRAULIC FLUID DUE TO AN INADEQUATE ANNUAL INSPECTION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 24, 1994 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Mesquite, Nevada · Mesquite
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 5 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210A · all 210As on the register
- Registration
- N6659X · registry record · serial 21057659
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot experienced failure of the right brake while taxiing for departure, lost control of the aircraft, and veered into a ditch. An A&P technician examined the aircraft brake system and found the right brake hydraulic cylinder empty. The mechanic then filled the right cylinder, checked the brake lines for fluid leaks, and functionally tested the brakes. No leaks were found and the brakes operated to specification. According to the technician, no evidence of old leaks was observed. Review of aircraft logbooks revealed that the annual inspection was completed on May 27, 1994, 23 hours prior to 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
- Flight time: 186 hours in all; 86 in this make and model; 48 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 139 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,434 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 27, 1994; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: RKS Rock Springs WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 99°F (37°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from LAS, 79 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 4 |
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.