What happened
On February 4, 2008, a single-engine Cessna 210R, registration N968CC, crashed near Baytown, Texas, resulting in 1 fatal injury. The pilot, who was not instrument rated, was the sole occupant of the aircraft during a 197-nautical mile cross-country flight from New Iberia, Louisiana, to Houston, Texas.
Radar tracking indicated the aircraft approached from the east, heading westbound. At approximately 1830, the pilot began a descent from 6,500 feet. Before the aircraft disappeared from radar at 1844, it performed a descending "S" turn, starting at 2,400 feet and ending at 1,100 feet. During communications with Houston TRACON, the pilot stated he needed to perform a 180-degree turn because he could not descend through the weather. Shortly after, the controller issued a low altitude alert, noting the aircraft was at 1,000 feet, but the pilot did not respond to the final radio call.
A witness near the crash site reported hearing the engine "winding up" followed by the impact. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were characterized by extreme fog with visibility less than one-tenth of a mile.
The investigation
Investigators from the NTSB, FAA, and manufacturers examined the wreckage at the scene. The aircraft struck several trees before impacting the ground, creating a crater approximately 16 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 30 inches deep. The wreckage path spanned roughly 235 feet.
Mechanical examination of the engine revealed heavy impact damage, but no pre-impact anomalies were found that would have prevented normal operation. The propeller blades showed various forms of damage, including twisting and bending. Both engine-driven vacuum pumps were found to be shattered. The investigation found that the aileron control cables had separated due to overload in the cabin area, though continuity from the tail to the cabin was established.
Findings
Analysis of radar data, air traffic control communications, and the fragmentation of the aircraft was consistent with an in-flight loss of control. The pilot's decision to fly into clouds while not instrument rated contributed to the loss of control.