Cessna P210N accident near Big Bear, California, December 2, 2023
On December 2, 2023 at about 9:43 pm local time, a 1980 Cessna P210N, registered N7LV, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Big Bear, California (Big Bear City airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power during the initial climb for undetermined reasons, which resulted in an aborted takeoff and runway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2023 · about 9:43 pm local time
- Place
- Big Bear, California · Big Bear City · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N, built 1980 · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N7LV · registry record · serial P21000506
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot had topped off the airplane with fuel and was departing on a cross-country flight. Just after lifting off the runway during takeoff, the airplane began to lose power; it then descended and landed on the remaining runway. The airplane exited the end of the runway, impacted a fence, crossed a road, and then nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of power after takeoff could not be 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
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,250 hours in all; 1,430 in this make and model; 5.8 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 2,250 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 15, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,470 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2023; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Rolls-Royce 250B175/2 (turboprop); 1,690 hours total
The flight
- Destination: FUL Fullerton CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 26, 5,850 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 5°F (-15°C)
- Altimeter: 30.21 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from KL35, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KL35 022135Z AUTO 27008KT 10SM CLR 10/M15 A3021 RMK AO2
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 7 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident site, main wreckage
Photograph 2 – Accident site, main wreckage
Photograph 3 – Accident site, fence damage.
Photograph 4 – Accident site, debris field.
Photograph 5 - Accident site, lower cowling.
Photograph 6 - Accident site, main wreckage uprighted.
Photograph 7 - Accident site, main wreckage relocation.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
12 documents, released by the NTSB on September 11, 2025. 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 13 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Video of Departure | video | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array-courtesy of the L35 Airport Manager | PDF, 8 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 4 | Fuel Receipt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Rolls-royce Field Observations | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Wreckage Examination Summary Report | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 7 | NTSB Propeller Examination Summary Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 8 | NTSB Video-propeller Test Bench | audio | View Download |
| 9 | NTSB Component Examination Summary Report | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 10 | NTSB Fuel Pump Examination and Testing-notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 11 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation-woodward | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation-textron Aviation | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
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.