# NTSB ATL86LA070: Cessna 210, N4981U, Alma, GA, February 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1986, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Alma, GA
- Coordinates: 31.539869, -82.469474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5399&lon=-82.4695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7062
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7062/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA070

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT DURING HIS DESCENT FROM THE 2000 FOOT CRUISE ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HIS PREFLIGHT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 1/2 AND 1/3 TANKS OF FUEL IN THE LEFT AND RIGHT CELLS RESPECTIVELY. AFTER DEPARTING ON THE LEFT TANK, THE PILOT DID NOT REPORT CHANGING THE FUEL SELECTOR. THE OPERATORS MANUAL INSTRUCTS THE PILOT TO PLACE THE SELECTOR IN BOTH POSITION WHEN DESCENDING WITH LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF FUEL. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 7 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE RIGHT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4981U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4981U-1997-10-28), registration cancelled 1997-10-28, S/N 21058681 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210e) (registry code 2073416) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 210 58681
- Airframe hours: 2670
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George N. Myers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: MAI, MARIANNA, FL
- Destination: 30J, BAXLEY, GA
- Airport: Alma

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,406 total, 370 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALM, 7 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 19860209002409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860209002409A), Feb 9, 1986: Cessna 210E, Alma, GA, Substantial damage. Ran left tank dry, unable to restart the engine on the right tank. Landing gear torn off on inmpact in plowed field

## Other investigations on N4981U (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 MKC75FCJ5K](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC75FCJ5K), May 19, 1975: Cessna 210E (N4981U), Omaha, NE, substantial damage

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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