Cessna T210 accident near Elberta, Utah, May 1, 2012
On May 1, 2012 at about 7:15 pm local time, a Cessna T210, registered N210LH, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Elberta, Utah. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power 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
- May 1, 2012 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Elberta, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210 L · all T210s on the register
- Registration
- N210LH · no longer on the register · serial 21061253
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During an instructional flight, when the pilot receiving instruction was recovering from a practice power-off stall, the engine lost power. Multiple attempts by the flight instructor to restart the engine were unsuccessful, and she subsequently performed a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll, the nose gear dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. During a postaccident examination, after a substitute propeller was installed in place of the airplane’s damaged propeller, the engine started and operated normally, exhibiting normal pressures and acceleration. The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.
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 maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during landing
- Nose over/nose down during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Contributed to outcome
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,500 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 3,326 as pilot in command; 2,612 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 26, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 338 hours in all; 232 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 307 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 31, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,103 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 15, 2012; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO 520R-12R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVU Provo UT at 6:45 pm
- Destination: PVU Provo UT
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 6:30 pm from PVU, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 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.