# NTSB CEN09CA123: Cessna T210M, N732YK, Fort Collins, CO, December 31, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2008, 12:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Fort Collins, CO - Coordinates: 40.451667, -105.01139 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4517&lon=-105.0114&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73205 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA123 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73205/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA123 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to select the fullest tank before landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel transfer valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022824): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022824/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022824/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna T210M, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073451), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed on the cross-country flight with 89 gallons of usable fuel on board. Four hours and 20 minutes after engine start up and while on final approach, the airplane's engine lost total power. Unable to make it to the runway, the pilot elected to land on a nearby road. During roll-out the airplane's left wing impacted a road sign, resulting in substantial damage. According to information downloaded from the airplane's fuel computer, the airplane had consumed 60.2 gallons of fuel at the time of the loss of engine power. An examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately 25 gallons of fuel. The left tank contained residual fuel; however, it had been compromised during the accident. Fuel calculations indicate that the left tank would have contained less than four gallons when the loss of engine power occurred. The pilot reported that he approached to land with the fuel selector in the left tank position. The airplane's before-landing checklist states that the fullest tank is to be selected before landing. In addition, a required placard on the fuel selector states that the fullest tank is to be selected for takeoff and landing. Following the accident an engine run was performed with the right fuel tank selected. No anomalies were noted during the engine run. ## Factual narrative The pilot departed on the cross-country flight with 89 gallons of usable fuel on board. Four hours and 20 minutes after engine start up and while on final approach, the airplane's engine lost total power. Unable to make it to the runway, the pilot elected to land on a nearby road. During roll-out the airplane's left wing impacted a road sign, resulting in substantial damage. According to information downloaded from the airplane's fuel computer, the airplane had consumed 60.2 gallons of fuel at the time of the loss of engine power. An examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the right fuel tank contained approximately 25 gallons of fuel. The left tank contained residual fuel; however, it had been compromised during the accident. Fuel calculations indicate that the left tank would have contained less than four gallons when the loss of engine power occurred. The pilot reported that he approached to land with the fuel selector in the left tank position. The airplane's before-landing checklist states that the fullest tank is to be selected before landing. In addition, a required placard on the fuel selector states that the fullest tank is to be selected for takeoff and landing. Following the accident an engine run was performed with the right fuel tank selected. No anomalies were noted during the engine run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N732YK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N732YK), registered now, S/N 21061879, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M - 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: 21061879 - Airframe hours: 5611 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2008 - Departed: ADS, Addison, TX - Destination: FNL, Fort Collins, CO - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FNL, Fort Collins-Loveland ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 23, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,664 total, 850 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg ## 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 20081231852919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081231852919A), Dec 31, 2008: Cessna T210M, Fort Collins/L, CO, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed on highway about 1 mile south of fnl (ft Collins-Loveland municipal airport co.) pilot stated engine problems. Aircraft struck 3 highway signs… ## Other investigations on N732YK (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 CHI94LA125](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA125), Mar 31, 1994: Cessna T210-M (N732YK), Pomona, MO, substantial damage. Probable cause: The seperation of the landing gear door actuator, resulting in total loss of hydraulic fluid. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.