# NTSB ATL93LA087: Cessna 210M, N761CQ, Apex, NC, May 4, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1993, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Apex, NC
- Coordinates: 35.719181, -78.840782 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7192&lon=-78.8408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA087

## Probable cause

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

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761CQ-1995-02-16), registration cancelled 1995-02-16, S/N 21062153 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210M
- Registry model: [Cessna 210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210m) (registry code 2073450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062153
- Airframe hours: 2850
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930504014479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930504014479A), May 4, 1993: Cessna 210M, Apex, NC, Substantial damage. Engine quit en route. Collided with ground on forced landing. Fuel tanks were empty.

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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