Cessna 210E accident near Big Bear City, California, August 17, 1996
On August 17, 1996 at about 4:33 pm local time, a Cessna 210E, registered N4931U, was destroyed in an accident near Big Bear City, California (Big Bear City airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
an inadequate annual inspection conducted by other maintenance personnel.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 1996 · about 4:33 pm local time
- Place
- Big Bear City, California · Big Bear City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210E · all 210Es on the register
- Registration
- N4931U · no longer on the register · serial 210-58631
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane engine sustained a total loss of power while approaching the airport to land. The pilot elected to land in an open field. During the landing the airplane struck a dirt mound and then became entangled with a telephone support cable. The investigation revealed that the engine driven fuel pump jet orifice was blocked and air bubbles were introduced into the engine fuel system. The fuel metering unit filter screen was 20 percent blocked with unidentified debris. The filter screen had not been recently removed. Two of the fuel system hoses leaked. The inlet fuel hose at the gascolator gap between the 'B' nut and the collar exceeded the manufacturer's recommended tolerances. All of the engine fuel system hoses exterior were deteriorated. The last annual inspection was accomplished about 7 months before the accident. The annual inspection was the first inspection accomplished in 2 years. The airplane accrued 7.95 hours in the 2 years preceding the accident. The investigation revealed that the pilot recently had both hips replaced and a coronary by-pass operation.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,352 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 13, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SBD San Bernardino CA at 4:05 pm
- Destination: L35
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:45 pm from L35, 1 miles away
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.