Cessna T210R accident near Rexburg, Idaho, February 8, 2007
On February 8, 2007 at about 10:44 pm local time, a Cessna T210R, registered N6390U, was destroyed in an accident near Rexburg, Idaho (Rexburg-Madison Cty Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of engine power due to the contamination of the fuel manifold valve, and the pilot's continued operation of the airplane with known maintenance discrepancies.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2007 · about 10:44 pm local time
- Place
- Rexburg, Idaho · Rexburg-Madison Cty Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210R · all T210Rs on the register
- Registration
- N6390U · no longer on the register · serial 21064950
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with the ground and obstacles following a loss of engine power during takeoff. Witnesses reported the engine losing power during takeoff and the airplane entered a sharp right bank. The airplane then collided with obstacles and terrain. Post accident examination of the engine showed that debris coated the inlet side of the fuel manifold valve which is separated from the outlet side by a screen. When fuel enters the manifold valve, it comes through the screen, and eventually out to the fuel injector nozzles. Due to the amount of debris on the inlet side of the manifold valve, injector fuel pressure could not be obtained above 213 psi (specifications were for 250 psi). With the fuel pump pressure at 83 psi (specifications were for 32.5 psi), at RPMs above 1,500, the fuel pressure may have been excessive, dependent upon the distribution of the debris within the valve. An aviation maintenance technician and a family member reported that the pilot had been experiencing engine trouble during takeoff, similar to the circumstances surrounding the accident, and to correct the problem he would adjust the mixture setting. This adjustment was most likely due to the excessive fuel pressure at the pump, set as a result of the low fuel pressures due to the contaminated manifold valve. As the system pressure increased, the debris generally limited the fuel flow pressure. However, because the debris could move within the valve, the pilot most likely experienced erratic fuel flow pressures. There was no maintenance entry for the adjustment of the fuel pump, nor was any maintenance of the manifold valve noted. Both of these components were remanufactured during the engine overhaul approximately 6.5 years 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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,333 hours in all; 938 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,207 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 1, 2005
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,699.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2006; 170 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,100 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-CE (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: RXE Rexburg ID at 10:44 pm
- Destination: LHM Lincoln CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 17, 4,200 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from RXE, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N6390U the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.