# Accident 19971210038179A: Cessna 207, Fruita, CO, December 10, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 10, 1997, 14:00 local time
- Place: Fruita, CO
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Fcd/Prec Ldg From Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.1499° N, 108.7199° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1499&lon=-108.7199&mi=10
- Aircraft: N91002, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 207 (registry code 2073602, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental IO-520 series (registry code 17032, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207
- Reported engine: CONT IO520F
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 850 total, 3 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB FTW98LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA066) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971210038179A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AIRCRAFT LOST POWER, LANDED IN ONION FIELD, STRUCK VEGITATION AND NOSED OVER NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL AT THE SCENE (.4) THE PILOT SAID HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL BUT `STUCK HIS FINGER IN THE FUEL TANK AND FELT FUEL' (IN HIS ACCIDENT REPORT, HOWEVER, HE SAID HE VISUALLY INSPECTED THE FUEL). HE DEPARTED NORTH LAS VEGAS AIRPORT. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES WEST OF GRAND JUNCTION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, FORCING THE PILOT TO LAND IN AN ONION FIELD. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A PILE OF ONIONS AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT SAID THERE WAS 62 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE. ACCORDING TO THE AIRPLANE OWNER'S MANUAL, STANDARD TANKS HOLD 65 GALLONS (58 GALLONS USABLE). THE PILOT SAID HE CRUISED AT 9,500 FEET MSL, USED A POWER SETTING OF 18-19 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE AND 2300 RPM, AND LEANED THE MIXTURE. ACCORDING TO THE CESSNA 207 CRUISE PERFORMANCE CHART FOR 10,000 FEET, THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE DEVELOPED BETWEEN 48 AND 51 PERCENT OF ITS RATED HORSEPOWER (300 HP) AND CONSUMED BETWEEN 10.3 AND 11.0 GALLONS OF FUEL PER HOUR. THIS WOULD GIVE THE AIRPLANE A RANGE OF 695 MILES AND AN ENDURANCE OF BETWEEN 5.3 AND 5.6 HOURS. THE PILOT'S ACCIDENT REPORT INDICATES THE AIRPLANE HAD   BEEN ALOFT APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS, 45 MINUTES. AN FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE SAID THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN INVERTED PRIOR TO HIS ARRIVAL. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS PLACED UPRIGHT, HE FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANKS, FUEL STAINS ON THE GROUND, OR FUEL DYE STAINS ON THE WINGS. THERE WAS NO ODOR OF FUEL IN THE AREA. THE PILOT SAID THAT ALTHOUGH HE HAD FLOWN OTHER CESSNA SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANES, THIS WAS HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE FLYING THE CESSNA 207.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW98LA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA066), Dec 10, 1997: Cessna 207 (N91002), Fruita, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons .

## Other reports on N91002 (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20031130033159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031130033159I), Nov 30, 2003: Cessna 207 (N91002), Bethel, AK. (-23) On 11/30/03, during flight from Bethel to aniak, Alaska, the pilot noticed a smell in the cockpit and a rise in oil temperature. Pilot pulled the…
- [Incident 19851103077179I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851103077179I), Nov 3, 1985: Cessna 207 (N91002), Lacrosse, WI. Engine became rough after takeoff. Landed in a field. Found number 4 connecting rod had failed.
- [Incident 19830223010329I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830223010329I), Feb 23, 1983: Cessna 207 (N91002), Faribault, MN. Engine surged. Made unscheduled landing. Exhaust rocker arm in #3 cylinder had failed.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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