Cessna 210B N200EP accident near Loveland, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot's intentional flight into terrain.

NTSB analysis

The airplane departed a local airport and maneuvered in the area of the accident site for about 1 hour 10 minutes. About 2 minutes before the accident, the pilot reported that he had "lost elevator control." Subsequently, radar data depicted the airplane maneuver about the same altitude before beginning a turn and rapidly descending to impact. Had the elevator failed, the pilot likely would not have been able to maintain altitude for the 2 minutes prior to the rapid descent. Further, examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact anomalies with the flight control system or airframe, and the signatures on the engine indicated the engine was operating at a high power setting at the time of impact. The pilot's postaccident toxicology test results revealed the use of antidepressant medications. The coroner ruled that the manner of death was suicide, and the flight profile was consistent with the pilot intentionally flying the airplane into terrain.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11FA130 for the full record.