What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2003-02-05 involved a Cessna T210N, registration N4945Y, at Mission, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in his exceeding the airplane's design limitation. Contributing factors were the pilot's decision to fly the airplane with known deficiencies with the attitude indicator, and the failure of the attitude indicator.

In-Flight Breakup of High-Wing Airplane in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (N4945Y)

On February 5, 2003, a Cessna T210N (registration N4945Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Mission, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control, which resulted in his exceeding the airplane's design limitation. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

A high-wing airplane on an IFR cross-country flight in Mexico suffered an in-flight breakup after deviating off course, crossing the U.S. border, and entering a descending turn. The attitude indicator showed no rotation at impact, and the pilot had been aware of its problems before departing.

Accident Overview

A high-wing airplane experienced an in-flight breakup while conducting a cross-country flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The flight was planned from an airport in eastern Mexico to another Mexican city located 318 miles to the west. The pilot had received a weather briefing and filed an instrument flight plan (IFR). Departure was cleared along a victor airway heading due west.

Flight Path and Communications

Radar data revealed that the airplane initially flew parallel to but north of the assigned airway. Over the next few minutes, it drifted northwest and eventually crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. Air traffic controllers discussed the airplane's position and whether to notify the pilot of the deviation. When a controller asked the pilot to confirm his position, the pilot responded with an unintelligible message stating, "let me see…we are on your radial…we have a problem with my [unintelligible]…let me check with my other radio." The pilot did not clarify the nature of the problem.

Shortly after this communication, the airplane's Mode C transponder data showed it entering a right descending turn before the radar signal was lost.

Wreckage and Component Examination

The wreckage was located one-quarter mile north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Examination of all fracture surfaces and separated control cables indicated overload failures. The attitude indicator gyro and its housing showed no evidence of rotation at the time of impact, whereas the horizontal situation indicator (HSI) displayed heavy rotational scoring and gouging. No other anomalies were detected; however, the cockpit area sustained heavy impact damage and was consumed by fire.

Pilot and Maintenance Records

Pilot records were not located during the investigation, so total instrument time and instrument currency could not be determined. Maintenance records were destroyed in the accident. However, interviews with maintenance personnel indicated that the pilot was aware of problems with the attitude indicator but had not waited for maintenance to be performed before taking the airplane on the accident flight.

2003-02-05: Cessna T210N (N4945Y) — Mission, TX