Cessna P210 N1JA

Summary

On 15 May 2020 at about 23:15 local time, a Cessna P210 registered N1JA, operated by Jadair International Inc, was involved in an accident near Burlington, Wisconsin, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 May 2020 at 23:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Burlington, Wisconsin, United States

Nearest airport

Burlington Municipal Airport (BUU)

Coordinates

42.6883, -88.2911

Aircraft

Cessna P210

Registration

N1JA

Category

Airplane

Year built

1978

Engines

1

Operator

Jadair International Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Burlington → Burlington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20LA179

1 person died.

The pilot did not maintain a safe altitude during the visual approach, and subsequently lost control which resulted an impact with trees and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After the replacement of an alternator belt that had failed on the previous flight, the pilot departed the airport; however, elected to return. While maneuvering in the traffic pattern about three minutes before the accident, the pilot, via his cellular phone, attempted to call the mechanic who replaced the alternator belt. A review of flight track data and witness information revealed that the airplane remained in the traffic pattern after taking off and that during the final approach, the airplane was at a low altitude and low airspeed. Witnesses observed the airplane stall and impact trees and terrain short of the runway. Witness accounts and impact signatures to the forward fuselage were indicative of a nose-low, low energy impact consistent with an aerodynamic stall. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the replaced alternator belt was displaced from the engine driven pulley and the alternator and was found lying near the back and bottom of the engine. Although this condition would affect the airplane’s electrical system, the displaced belt would not affect the engine power performance. No other mechanical malfunctions were noted with the airframe and engine that would have precluded normal operation. Based on the autopsy findings and medical certification files, the pilot had several cardiovascular conditions that could result in sudden incapacitation; however, the operational findings did not suggest any sudden incapacitation or impairment. The pilot appeared to have made some good judgements about returning to the airport when he discovered an issue with his airplane. Thus, the pilot’s medical conditions and use of medications detected on toxicology testing were unlikely to have been factors in this accident. Given the available information, it is likely the pilot was returning to the airport after an alternator malfunction. During the final approach to the runway, the pilot did not maintain control of the airplane, at an already low altitude, and the airplane impacted trees and terrain on short final approach.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.