Cessna T210M accident near Saratoga, Wyoming, September 5, 2011
On September 5, 2011 at about 8:20 pm local time, a Cessna T210M, registered N761NZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (aborted after touchdown) near Saratoga, Wyoming (Shivley Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during an attempted go-around for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2011 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Saratoga, Wyoming · Shivley Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N761NZ · no longer on the register · serial 21062399
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that following an aborted approach and subsequent attempted go-around, the engine lost power as the airplane approached the departure end of the runway. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open area, and during the landing roll, the airplane struck a fence and embankment. A postaccident examination of the airframe and fuel injected engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal 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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during landing (aborted after touchdown) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,869 hours in all; 1,182 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 1,869 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 25, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,290 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 20, 2010; 61 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ICT Wichita KS at 4:45 pm
- Destination: SAA Saratoga WY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23, 8,801 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 9°F (-13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from RWL, 27 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.