Cessna 210 accident near Coalinga, California, November 19, 2015
On November 19, 2015 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna 210, registered N9824G, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Coalinga, California (Harris Ranch Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined, because postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures 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
- November 19, 2015 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Coalinga, California · Harris Ranch Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210 N, built 1979 · all 210s on the register
- Registration
- N9824G · no longer on the register · serial P21000348
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was departing in the turboprop-equipped airplane when, between 200 and 300 ft above ground level, the airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power, with no abnormal fuel indications observed. After he advanced the throttle and condition levers, the pilot realized that there was not sufficient power to maintain altitude, so he elected to make a forced landing to an open dirt field. During the approach, the airplane impacted multiple power lines before landing gear-up. A postaccident examination of the engine and fuel system did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. The reason for the partial 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 (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,045 hours in all; 258 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 1,045 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 17, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,535 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 22, 2015; 40 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls Royce B 250-B17F/2 (turboprop); 675 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3O8 Coalinga CA at 10:00 pm
- Destination: MIT Shafter CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 2,820 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 9:55 pm from FAT, 40 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.