No fatalities

3 Apr 2010: CESSNA T210N — Truckee, CA

Truckee, CA, United States

On 3 Apr 2010, a CESSNA T210N was involved in an aviation accident near Truckee, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's extensive experience at the airport and the benign weather conditions led to complacency and a deviation from standard aeronautical decision making, resulting in the accident. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot commuting to a familiar airport in winter landed north of the runway after misjudging the touchdown point on a snow-covered surface, striking a snow berm and damaging the firewall.

Incident Summary

A pilot conducting a routine commuter flight between two airports during winter months reported that, while nearing the destination, airport personnel provided an airport condition report indicating runway ice with a 1- to 2-inch layer of snow. On final approach to runway 28, the pilot flared the airplane at the presumed normal touchdown point on the snow-covered runway. However, the airplane touched down about 50 feet north of, and parallel to, the runway on airport property.

Details from Pilot Statement

During the landing roll, the airplane encountered a snow berm at the edge of runway 19. The pilot stated that his extensive experience landing at the airport, combined with what he described as relatively benign weather conditions, led to complacency and a deviation from standard aeronautical decision making practices. He believed this combination resulted in the accident. The pilot also reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures prior to the impact.

Aircraft Damage

As a result of the impact with the snow berm, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall.

Probable cause

The pilot's extensive experience at the airport and the benign weather conditions led to complacency and a deviation from standard aeronautical decision making, resulting in the accident.

Contributing factors

PilotEffect on personnel