DEN90FA159

1990-07-12 · OGDEN, Utah, United States · Fatal · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 09D

Aircraft involved

N6203A Cessna P210R Fatal

Probable cause & findings

FAILURE OF THE #1 PISTON DUE TO PRE-IGNITION/DETONATION IN THE #1 CYLINDER, AND INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOT (HIS FAILURE TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OBSTRUCTION). THE OBSTRUCTION (POWER LINE) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Factual narrative

THE TWO PLTS HAD DEPARTED ON A FLT TO GET TWO REVENUE PASSENGERS. THE LEFT SEAT PLT WAS AT THE CTLS WHEN A LOSS OF ENG POWER OCCURRED. HE MADE A 180 DEG TURN & WAS GLIDING DOWN A CANYON WHEN IT STRUCK AN UNMARKED POWER LINE AT THE MOUTH OF THE CANYON. IMPACT OCCURRED ABOUT 100 TO 200 FT AGL. A POST-ACDNT EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED EVIDENCE OF DETONATION/PREIGNITION & EXCESSIVE HEATING IN THE #1 CLYINDER & SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE #1 PISTON. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1990_DEN90FA159.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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