# NTSB CEN20LA172: Cessna T210L, N2074S, Burleson, TX, May 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 7, 2020, 15:13 local (20:13 UTC) - Place: Burleson, TX - Coordinates: 32.529445, -97.319046 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5294&lon=-97.3190&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Cessna Aircraft, Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101247 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20LA172 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101247/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101247 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20LA172 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of available resources](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 41 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had just departed the runway for a second circuit in the traffic pattern. Shortly thereafter, he declared an emergency but did not indicate the nature of the emergency. A witness said he heard the "loud strong engine sound suddenly and drastically reduce to either power off or a low idle." He saw the airplane fly level for a few seconds then descend slowly toward the ground; the wings banked slightly one way, then the other. He stated that the airplane continued flying straight while descending, that the wings began to rock slightly, and that when the airplane was about 10 to 20 ft above the tree line, its “rate of descent accelerated into the trees." The airplane struck tree-covered terrain and impacted the ground about 1/2 mile south of the runway. A postcrash fire ensued and destroyed the airplane. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The damage signatures on the propeller were consistent with little to no power at the time of impact. The examination revealed that the inboard portion of the right wing was partially consumed by the fire, but the remainder of the wing exhibited no fire damage. The right fuel tank area of the wing appeared undamaged, and the right fuel tank was empty. The left wing was consumed by fire, and given the extent of fire damage, the fuel tank likely contained fuel. The fuel selector valve appeared to be selected to the left tank but was about 5° counterclockwise past the left tank position and was not secure in the detent. The engine-driven fuel pump’s driveshaft was intact and there was no fuel in the fuel pump. Based on the available evidence, it is likely that the engine lost power due to fuel starvation. It is unknown if the pilot selected the left tank before takeoff or after the loss of engine power. With the fuel selector valve not placed in the detent for the left fuel tank, fuel would not be able to flow from the tank to the engine and the engine would have lost power. ## Factual narrative On May 7, 2020, about 1513 central daylight time, a Cessna T210L airplane, N2074S, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Burleson, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was departing from runway 17R at Fort Worth Spinks Airport (FWS), Fort Worth, Texas. According to recorded radio communications and the airplane’s Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data, the airplane was cleared for takeoff and lifted off about 1504. The pilot made a right turn to crosswind, turned to downwind, climbed to pattern altitude, and then made a full-stop landing about 1508. He was cleared to taxi back to runway 17R and was subsequently cleared for a second takeoff. After the second takeoff the pilot radioed that he was "declaring an emergency” but did not state the nature of the emergency. The controller asked the pilot if he was “going down on the highway there." There was no reply from the pilot. A witness who observed the airplane climb said he heard the "loud strong engine sound suddenly and drastically reduce to either power off or a low idle." He saw the airplane fly level for a few seconds then descend slowly toward the ground; the wings banked slightly one way, then the other. He stated that the airplane continued flying straight while descending, that the wings began to rock slightly, and that when the airplane was about 10 to 20 ft above the tree line, its “rate of descent accelerated into the trees." The airplane struck tree-covered terrain and impacted the ground about 1/2 mile south of runway 17R. A postcrash fire ensued. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s District, Fort Worth, Texas, performed an autopsy on the pilot and listed the cause of death as “thermal injuries and smoke inhalation.” Toxicological screening by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Forensic Sciences Laboratory revealed an 11% carboxyhemoglobin saturation in blood (heart); quinine and amlodipine were detected in urine and blood (femoral). Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted terrain on a heading of about 120°. The debris field consisted of less than a dozen small pieces of metal within a 12-ft radius of the impact point. The left wingtip was located in a nearby tree about 81 ft above the ground. The right wing bore little evidence of fire impingement, and no fuel was present in the right fuel tank. The left wing and most of the cabin area were consumed by fire. Further examination of the airframe and engine revealed that the fuel selector valve appeared to be on the left tank but was not in the detent; it was about 5° counterclockwise past the left tank position. The inboard dry bay portions of the right wing were partially consumed by the postimpact fire, but the remainder of the wing exhibited no fire damage. The right fuel tank area of the wing was undamaged. The left wing wasconsumed by fire from the wing root to the aileron. The top spark plugs were removed nothing abnormal noted. Engine continuity and compression was confirmed by rotating the propeller, which remained attached to the engine. Spark was produced on all the magneto leads. The engine-driven fuel pump’s driveshaft was intact. There was no fuel in the fuel pump. Examination of the q-tip propeller assembly revealed that one blade was straight and relatively undamaged; only the tip was curled aft. The second blade was twisted 90°. The third blade was relatively undamaged but had scratches and scuff marks on the cambered surface. According to the company that provided fuel at FWS, there was no evidence the pilot purchased fuel on the day of the accident. The last evidence that the pilot fueled the airplane was on April 30, 2020, about 1453 in Granbury, Texas; 36.5 gallons were purchased. The pilot made four flights after fueling, totaling about 1 hour 13 minutes. ## 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 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 5098 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2020 - Departed: KFWS, Fort Worth, TX - Destination: KFWS, Fort Worth, TX - Airport: FWS, Fort Worth Spinks, runway 17R, 6,002 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; toxicology performed; flight hours: 285 total, 285 in this make and model, 58 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 20 knots, gusting 28 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: FWS, 1 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 20200507005479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200507005479A), May 7, 2020: Cessna T210L, Burleson, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. On may 7, 2020, at approximately 1518 central daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N2074S, impacted tree-covered terrain approximately .5 miles south of runway 17… ## 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 ATL90LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA142), Jul 12, 1990: Cessna T210L (N2074S), Memphis, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: FUEL MISMANAGEMENT BY THE PILOT WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION DURING FINAL APPROACH. ## Docket (15 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101247. 10.2 MB in all. - FAA inspector's statement (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9783987&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness' statements (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9964268&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4-Witness%27%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Flight instructor's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11718552&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5a-Flight%20Instructor%27s%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - A&p's statement (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9649727&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=A%26P%27s%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Airport diagram, fws (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 138 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9650137&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airport%20Diagram,%20FWS-Rel.pdf - Csv data - first pass (item 6, CSV, 12 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12814391&FileExtension=csv&FileName=N2074S%20First%20pass-Rel.csv - Csv data - second pass (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9683553&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=%5B9%5DCSV%20Data-Rel.pdf - Kfws tower communications (item 8, MP3, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9958921&FileExtension=mp3&FileName=KFWS%20Tower%20Communications-Rel.mp3 - Weather report (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9676782&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Weather%20Report-Rel.pdf - Fuel receipts (item 10, PDF, 1 page, 658 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12821225&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=%5B10%5DFuel%20Receipts_Redacted-Rel_Redacted%20F-Rel.pdf - FAA examination summary statement (item 11, PDF, 10 pages, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12821223&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=17a-FAA_s%20Post-Accident%20Engine%20Examination%20Report_Redacted-Rel_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Textron's post-accident engine examination report report (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 74 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11742863&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=18a-Textron%27s%20Post-Accident%20Engine%20Examination%20Report%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Certification of party representative (item 13, PDF, 1 page, 589 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9650552&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representative_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Toxicology report (item 14, PDF, 1 page, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9914328&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=13-Toxicology%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 15, PDF, 1 page, 204 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12991185&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N2074S%20NTSB%20Wreckage%20Release%20Signed%2012%2008%2021_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.