ATL93LA087

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 210M · Apex, NC · May 4, 1993

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 4, 1993, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
Place
Apex, NC
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
N761CQCessna 210M
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 2, 1994
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19930504014479A
Case key
3205

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which resulted in fuel exhaustion.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalCruise
Fluid,fuel - exhaustionCause
Fuel consumption calculations - inaccuratePilot in commandCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - emergency

Analysis

The pilot had flown the airplane on multiple flights and refueled once. He stated that he used an average fuel burn of 17 gph. He estimated the fuel on board at the last departure point. En route, the engine quit and a forced landing was made to a field. The airplane fuel system was examined after the accident. About two ounces of fuel were found in the fuel system; with no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site.

Factual narrative

On May 4, 1993, at about 1215 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210M, N761CQ, collided with the ground during an emergency descent near Apex, North Carolina. The airplane was operated by Century Care of Laurinburg, Inc. under 14 CFR Part 91 and instrument flight rules. An instrument flight rules flight plan was in effect for the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot, who holds an airplane instrument rating, received minor injuries, while the airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Spartanburg, South Carolina, at about 1100, on the same day.

The airplane had been flown on multiple flights since the last refueling. During cruise flight to the final destination, the engine quit. After the accident, the aircraft fuel system was examined. Approximately two ounces of fuel was found in the left wing fuel tank. The fuel selector was found on the right wing fuel tank, which did not contain any visible fuel. There was no evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site.

Aircraft

Registration
N761CQ
Reported as
Cessna 210M
Category
Airplane
Serial number
21062153
Airframe hours
2,850
Engine
Continental IO-520-L, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Century Care Of Laurinburn Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · January 31, 1993 · 40 hours before
Departed
SPA · Spartanburg, SC
Destination
5W5 · Fuquay-Varina, NC
Flight plan
IFR

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
48
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
1,400 total · 400 in this make and model · 30 in the last 90 days · 15 in the last 30 days · 6 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
140° at 12 knots
Visibility
15 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
75 °F, dew point 61 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
RDU, 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.