# NTSB ATL90LA142: Cessna T210L, N2074S, Memphis, TN, July 12, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1990, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.02996, -90.010025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0300&lon=-90.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA142

## Probable cause

FUEL MISMANAGEMENT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION DURING FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES READ 3/4 UPON DEPARTURE. HE ALSO SAID THE LEFT FUEL GAUGE WAS INTERMITTENT. WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT ON SHORT FINAL, HE SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM THE LEFT TANK TO THE RIGHT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY. TESTING REVEALED THAT THE LEFT TANK WAS INTACT & THE QUANTITY INDICATOR WAS INOPERABLE. FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK WHICH WAS ALSO BREACHED BY IMPACT DAMAGE. FIRE PERSONNEL SAID THEY PUT THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE OFF POSITION, AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BECAUSE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE RIGHT TANK DRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2074S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2074S-2022-07-02), registration cancelled 2022-07-02, S/N 21061041, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061041
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Air Express Services Inc.
- Departed: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS
- Airport: MEM, Memphis Intl, runway 27, 8,936 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 207 total, 26 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 13,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 5 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 19900712025409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900712025409A), Jul 12, 1990: Cessna T210L, Memphis, TN, Substantial damage. Fuel starvation on final. Landed short. Slid into fence. Left tank empty. Fuel indicator inoperative. Right full.

## Other investigations on N2074S (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 CEN20LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA172), May 7, 2020: Cessna T210L (N2074S), Burleson, TX, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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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