Cessna P210 accident near Marthas Vineyrd, Massachusetts, June 18, 1993
On June 18, 1993 at about 7:50 pm local time, a Cessna P210, registered N73CE, was destroyed in an accident near Marthas Vineyrd, Massachusetts (Vineyard Haven airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 18, 1993 · about 7:50 pm local time
- Place
- Marthas Vineyrd, Massachusetts · Vineyard Haven
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210 · all P210s on the register
- Registration
- N73CE · registry record · serial 21000369
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT CONTACTED ATC AND REPORTED HE WAS AT 400 FT. AFTER THE PILOT RECEIVED AND ACKNOWLEDGED A FURTHER CLEARANCE, RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. SEVERAL WITNESSES IN THE AREA SAW THE AIRPLANE DESCEND BELOW THE CLOUDS, FLYING AT A LOW ALTITUDE, HEADING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AIRPORT, TURN TO THE RIGHT AND IMPACT THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES. TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS CONDUCTED ON THE PILOT REVEALED POSITIVE CONCENTRATIONS OF THE DRUGS CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE AND NORDIAZEPAM WHICH COULD HAVE AFFECTED THE PILOT'S ABILITY TO FLY SAFELY.
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: 690 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,484 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 6, 1993
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-P (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Destination: BED Bedford MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 24, 5,499 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 1.5 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:50 pm from MVY, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.