A hiker in Colorado found a Cessna 210A Centurion that crashed on April 2, 2018. The cause of the accident is still unknown, but officials have speculated that the accident’s probable cause was the noncertified pilot’s ill-advised decision to embark on a flight over mountainous terrain in an inadequately maintained aircraft.
According to the Aviation Safety Network, the following information is known.
The uncertified private pilot embarked on a cross-country flight to relocate his aircraft for maintenance purposes. Unfortunately, the aircraft failed to reach its intended destination, prompting a missing aircraft report. It was eventually discovered by hikers more than three months later. Detailed radar data was unavailable, preventing the determination of the flight path. The wreckage was located in a mountainous region at an elevation of 12,700 feet above sea level. The damage to the aircraft, ground marks, and debris pattern indicated a right-wing impact followed by a cartwheel motion.
Surface analysis charts, wind profiles, and satellite images indicated conditions conducive to moderate-to-severe turbulence and mountain waves along the flight route. Multiple pilot reports along the same path confirmed these conditions. There was no record of the pilot seeking a weather briefing for the planned route.
Examining the aircraft’s frame, engine, and related systems was challenging due to the rugged terrain and high altitude at the crash site. Impact damage prevented functional testing of the engine and its components.
Except for a flight the evening before the accident, during which the pilot experienced brake issues and a subsequent nose landing gear collapse when retracting the landing gear on the ground, the aircraft had likely not been flown for the past four years and lacked a current annual inspection.
The pilot had a medical history of diabetes treated with insulin and respiratory problems necessitating supplemental oxygen. While these medical issues could impair flying abilities, there was no evidence of symptoms on the day of the accident. Considering the pilot’s history of disregarding regulations, his actions on the accident day were more likely consistent with his past rule-breaking tendencies than the effects of his medical condition.
Toxicological testing revealed the presence of both ethanol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in marijuana. Ethanol may have come from an environmental source due to the remains’ exposure over time. The detection of THC in muscle tissue suggested the pilot had consumed marijuana sometime before the accident. However, determining impairment from THC in tissues exposed to the elements for several months was not feasible.
The accident’s probable cause was the noncertified pilot’s ill-advised decision to embark on a flight over mountainous terrain in an inadequately maintained aircraft. The subsequent encounter with mountain wave turbulence led to the loss of control and collision with the terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s insufficient preflight weather planning.
Sources:
NTSB FAA register: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=68640