1991-03-02: Cessna T210M — New Mexico Flying Service — Taos, NM

Casualties unknown • Taos, NM, US

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO FREEZING RAIN WHICH RESULTED IN STRUCTURAL ICING THAT EXCEEDED THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS: IMPROPER DEICING.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEICED WITH PURE ETHYLENE GLYCOL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND THEN DEPARTED ON AN IFR FLIGHT IN FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW WITH A TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT OF 33/31. DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS WERE FOR A RIGHT TURN TO THE NORTH FOLLOWING TAKEOFF AND DIRECT TO THE VOR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND NINE HOURS AFTER DEPARTING, SCATTERED IN A FIELD, 1.5 MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-03-02 Cessna T210M accident near Taos, NM?

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEICED WITH PURE ETHYLENE GLYCOL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND THEN DEPARTED ON AN IFR FLIGHT IN FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW WITH A TEMPERATURE/DEW POINT OF 33/31. DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS WERE FOR A RIGHT TURN TO THE NORTH FOLLOWING TAKEOFF AND DIRECT TO THE VOR. THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND NINE HOURS AFTER…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-03-02 involved a Cessna T210M, registration N761MU, operated by New Mexico Flying Service, at Taos, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO INITIATE FLIGHT INTO FREEZING RAIN WHICH RESULTED IN STRUCTURAL ICING THAT EXCEEDED THE ABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT TO MAINTAIN FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS: IMPROPER DEICING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X16584. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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