# NTSB ATL90LA097: Cessna T210, N761YK, Lafayette, GA, April 15, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1990, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Lafayette, GA
- Coordinates: 34.700412, -85.279014 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7004&lon=-85.2790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8230
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8230/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANAGE HIS FUEL SUPPLY, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.

## 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)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS REPORTED AS ROUTINE UNTIL THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO A LOWER ALTITUDE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE PILOT INFORMED THE APPROACH CONTROLLER OF AN ENGINE PROBLEM. HE WAS GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. AS THE PILOT TURNED FROM BASE TO FINAL, HE LOWERED THE LANDING GEAR. A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED AND THE FLIGHT CRASHED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE TYPICALLY RAN ONE FUEL TANK DRY BEFORE SWITCHING TANKS. IN THIS CASE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND HE SELECTED THE OTHER TANK, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED A RESTART. THE ENGINE WAS FUEL INJECTED. REPORTEDLY, LOSS OF PRIME MAY HAVE RESULTED IN DIFFICULTY IN RESTARTING. THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF FUEL IN THE LEFT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761YK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N761YK), registered now, S/N 21062623, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062623
- Airframe hours: 1762
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Michael B. Frisby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 1990
- Departed: PIE, ST PETERSBURG, FL
- Destination: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 9A5, Lafayette Muni, runway 20, 4,780 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,069 total, 119 in this make and model, 897 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CHA, 20 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 19900415009179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900415009179A), Apr 15, 1990: Cessna T210M, Lafayette, GA, Substantial damage. Ran right fuel tank dry. Unable restart on left tank with fuel. Crashed in trees.

## Other investigations on N761YK (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 FTW85LA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA296), Jul 19, 1985: Cessna T210M (N761YK), Kilgore, TX, 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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