Accident Overview
On June 7, 2013, at approximately 1015 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210L, registration N732BS, veered off the runway and came to rest inverted while landing at Chiloquin State Airport, Chiloquin, Oregon. The aircraft was operated by the pilot under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The private pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight originated from Siskiyou County Airport, Montague, California, at about 0915, with Chiloquin as its planned destination. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Witness Account
A witness reported observing the airplane touchdown on runway 35. He noted that the airplane was landing at a higher-than-expected airspeed, which he estimated to be about 100 miles per hour. Following touchdown, the airplane veered into a gravel area adjacent to the runway and continued until encountering a culvert. The airplane then flipped over inverted and came to rest at the edge of the airport's safety perimeter.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that as he entered the vicinity of the destination airport, he maneuvered the airplane on a higher-than-normal approach to avoid tall trees located south of runway 35. During touchdown, the airplane's nose wheel failed, and he continued down the runway at an excessive ground speed. The airplane began to veer left, and in response, the pilot applied right rudder. Despite his efforts to regain directional control, the airplane continued off the left edge of the runway. The pilot retarded the throttle to idle and realized that both wheel brakes had locked up. The airplane proceeded onto the dirt area adjacent to the runway, over a taxiway, and struck a culvert, subsequently nosing over and coming to rest inverted.
In the recommendation section of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Report, the pilot suggested that the accident could have been prevented if the trees at the south end of the runway were shortened, eliminating the need for a fast, steep descent. He also noted that the culvert was too close to the taxiway and that the airport environment contributed to the damage sustained.
Aircraft Examination
A postaccident examination conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic found no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating and a third-class medical certificate issued in January 2013, with a limitation requiring corrective lenses for near vision. He reported 2,857 total flight hours, with 150 hours in Cessna 210 aircraft. In the preceding 90, 30, and 24 hours, he had flown approximately 44, 21, and 0.5 hours, respectively. The pilot stated he had made 128 landings at Chiloquin State Airport.
Airport Information
Chiloquin State Airport is a FAR Part 139 certificated facility with a single asphalt runway designated 16/34, 3,749 feet long and 60 feet wide. According to the FAA Airport Facility Directory, a 66-foot tree located 1,058 feet from the threshold of runway 35 requires a 13:1 slope to clear it.