Cessna 210 accident near Moab, Utah, May 28, 2014
On May 28, 2014 at about 8:30 pm local time, a 1960 Cessna 210, registered N9589T, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Moab, Utah (Canyonlands Field). It was a skydiving flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2014 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Moab, Utah · Canyonlands Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210 F, built 1960 · all 210s on the register
- Registration
- N9589T · no longer on the register · serial 57389
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Skydiving flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to make numerous takeoffs and transport skydivers to an adequate jumping altitude. The first takeoff was uneventful, and after the skydivers egressed the airplane, the pilot returned back to the airport. During the landing, the airplane bounced three times down the runway. The pilot taxied to the hangar and without shutting down the engine, boarded the second load of skydivers. Shortly thereafter, the pilot departed and during the initial climb, he attempted to retract the landing gear. The landing gear would not retract and the pilot decided to continue the flight with the landing gear extended. After the skydivers jumped, the pilot landed without incident. He taxied back to the hangar and shut down the engine. After exiting the airplane he noticed that the propeller tips were bent. As a result of the impact, the firewall was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no pre impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Gear extension and retract sys › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 120 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 172 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,883 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 18, 2014; 41 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental Motors IO-470E (piston); 2,023 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNY Moab UT at 7:00 pm
- Destination: CNY Moab UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 7,100 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 9 knots, gusting 16
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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 N9589T 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.