# NTSB ATL89LA179: Cessna P210N, N132WW, Jackson, SC, July 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1989, 15:33 local (19:33 UTC)
- Place: Jackson, SC
- Coordinates: 33.320922, -81.790962 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3209&lon=-81.7910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89LA179

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISMANAGEMENT OF THE AVAILABLE FUEL SUPPLY WHICH RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS NOT POSITIONED TO THE TANK WHICH CONTAINED FUEL. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE ROUGH TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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 - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - open field (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ENGINE QUIT AT ABOUT 20,000 FT WHILE DESCENDING TO A LOWER ALTITUDE. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A SOFT FIELD; THE AIRPLANE DUG IN, GROUND LOOPED AND THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED. PILOT REPORTED HE HAD FAILED TO SWITCH THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE LEFT TANK WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED 10-15 GALLONS OF FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N132WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N132WW-1995-02-08), registration cancelled 1995-02-08, S/N P21000796 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P21000796
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-AF 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Weir
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1989, 38 hours before
- Departed: MTH, MARATHON, FL
- Destination: GSP, GREER, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 564 total, 148 in this make and model, 564 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AGS, 10 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 19890716022399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890716022399A), Jul 16, 1989: Cessna P210N, Columbia, SC, Substantial damage. Ran tank dry at FL210 lost cabin pressure. Landed rough field. Flaps up. Fuel other tank.

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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