Cessna P210 - N accident near Jeffrey, Wyoming, December 9, 2014
On December 9, 2014 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna P210 - N, registered N4881K, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Jeffrey, Wyoming (Anderson Ranch airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate approach and excessive airspeed, which resulted in a long landing, the subsequent runway overrun, and impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's delay in aborting the landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 2014 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Jeffrey, Wyoming · Anderson Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210 - N, built 1979 · all P210 - Ns on the register
- Registration
- N4881K · no longer on the register · serial P21000354
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while on final approach he observed that his airspeed was too high, and after landing long he added power in an attempt to go around. However, the airplane did not reach flying speed before going off the end of the runway. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the engine compartment. The pilot stated that the wind at the time of the accident was calm. The pilot reported no preimpact 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
- Landing area overshoot during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (aborted after touchdown)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Descent/approach/glide path › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,225 hours in all; 2,138 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 5,225 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 6, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,611 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 24, 2014; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental Motors TSIO 520 (piston); 4,726 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MTJ Montrose CO at 2:30 pm
- Destination: NA Jeffrey WY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 060, 2,600 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from CPR, 71 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.