On December 26, 1996, a Cessna 210L (registration N30891) was involved in an aviation accident near Brackettville, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude and/or clearance from terrain, while on a cross-country flight at night. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, the prevailing low ceilings, and mountainous/hilly terrain. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A noninstrument-rated private pilot on a night VFR flight over hilly terrain impacted a ridge slope at 1,950 feet MSL. Low ceilings prevailed; no mechanical issues found.
Circumstances
The airplane impacted the northwest-facing slope of a ridge at an elevation of 1,950 feet mean sea level while configured for cruise flight. The noninstrument-rated private pilot was returning home on a night visual flight rules (VFR) flight over hilly and sparsely populated terrain. Low ceilings prevailed throughout the area.
The pilot's flight instructor stated that the pilot knew the area well and was aware of the rising terrain. The instructor recalled speaking with the pilot on the afternoon of the accident and, after discussing the worsening weather conditions, encouraged him to stay in Del Rio that night. The pilot, who worked in real estate, had a nine o'clock appointment the next morning in Austin to inspect a property he had sold. The flight instructor believed the pilot felt pressured to return home that evening.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps and landing gear were in the retracted position. The elevator trim was found in the neutral position. No evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was discovered.
