# NTSB ATL82FA037: Cessna 210L, N641CH, Madison County, AL, January 19, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 18, 1982, 18:35 local (Jan 19, 1982, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Madison County, AL
- Coordinates: 34.70055, -86.740707 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7005&lon=-86.7407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71538
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71538/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA037

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - selected, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED DESTIN, FL AT 1554 CST ON A FLIGHT TO TULLAHOMA, TN. THE ESTIMATED TIME EN ROUTE WAS LISTED ON THE FLIGHT PLAN AS 2.5 HRS WITH 4.5 HOURS FUEL ON BOARD. DURING ARRIVAL AT TULLAHOMA, THE PILOT INITIATED A VOR/DME-B APPROACH, BUT EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH DUE TO WEATHER. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN CLEARED TO PROCEED TO HUNTSVILLE, AL. DURING AN ILS APPROACH AT HUNTSVILLE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AFTER THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE PLANE CRASHED AT ABOUT 1835 CST WHEN IT STRUCK TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING. AN INVESTIGAITON REVEALED THAT THE PLANE WAS LAST REFUELED ON 1/17/82 AT TULLAHOMA. AFTER THAT, IT WAS FLOWN AROUND THE AIRPORT PATTERN, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY, THE PLANE WAS FLOWN TO DESTIN. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED ONLY TRACES OF FUELL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N641CH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N641CH-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 21059801, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059801
- Airframe hours: 804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L4 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Powell, Osie Wayne
- Registered owner: James Martin Construction Co.
- Departed: DESTIN, FL
- Destination: TULLAHOMA, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HSV, Huntsville-Madison County, runway 18, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,854 total, 3,688 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 100 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HSV, 2 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820118001189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820118001189A), Jan 18, 1982: Cessna 210L, Madison, AL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed on ILS approach after diverting from alternate airport. Engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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.

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