Cessna 210 accident near Henefer, Utah, September 4, 2019
On September 4, 2019 at about 9:21 pm local time, a 1974 Cessna 210, registered N94262, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Henefer, Utah. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots’ decision to enter a canyon at low altitude, which resulted in controlled flight into terrain while attempting to exit the canyon.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 2019 · about 9:21 pm local time
- Place
- Henefer, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210 L, built 1974 · all 210s on the register
- Registration
- N94262 · no longer on the register · serial 21060568
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two commercial pilots were conducting a familiarization aerial pipeline flight for one of the pilots, who was newly hired by the operator. Data from an onboard GPS unit indicated that the airplane was completing a 180° turn in a canyon. The last recorded data showed the airplane at a GPS altitude about 5,998 ft; company tracking data showed the airplane about .7 mile closer to the accident site at an altitude of 6,208 ft mean sea level. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. No significant weather or turbulence was reported or forecast in the area, and the density altitude at the time of the accident exceeded 9,700 ft. Based on the available information, it is likely that the pilots maneuvered the airplane into a canyon at low altitude and were attempting to perform a climbing turn to exit the canyon when the airplane impacted terrain.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during maneuvering defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Ability to respond/compensate
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,404 hours in all
- Last flight review: September 25, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 350 hours in all
- Last flight review: November 21, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 13,727.6 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, August 26, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 3,803 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO 520 SERIES (piston); 844 hours total
- Operator: Hawker Helicopters LLC
The flight
- Departed from: EVW Evanston WY at 8:34 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 8:58 pm from KHIF, 19 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
20 documents, released by the NTSB on June 17, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.