# NTSB CHI07CA261: Cessna 210 D, N3794Y, Fort Wayne, IN, August 10, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2007, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Fort Wayne, IN - Coordinates: 40.978332, -85.194999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9783&lon=-85.1950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66617 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66617/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA261 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's inadequate preflight. ## 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 turn - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - encountered, pilot in command - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The airplane made a forced landing after a loss of engine power while turning left base for a touch and go landing. The pilot reported that he estimated that the fuel remaining in the airplane after a previous flight was about 20 to 30 gallons, all in the left fuel tank. He reported, "I had run rt. [right] tank out of fuel and left remaining fuel in lt. [left] tank." He reported that during the preflight, the fuel gauges indicated that the left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank was full. The pilot reported that a ladder was not available so he did not visually check the fuel in the tanks. He reported that he had planned to do three takeoffs and landings. He reported that he departed on the first takeoff and while turning a left base for runway 32, the engine lost power. He attempted an engine restart but without success. He executed a forced landing to a cornfield. The inspection of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. When the battery was turned on, the left fuel gauge indicated full and the right fuel gauge indicated no fuel. ## Factual narrative The airplane sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after a loss of engine power while turning left base for a touch and go landing. The pilot reported that he estimated that the fuel remaining in the airplane after a previous flight was about 20 to 30 gallons, all in the left fuel tank. He reported, "I had run rt. [right] tank out of fuel and left remaining fuel in lt. [left] tank." He reported that during the preflight, the fuel gauges indicated that the left fuel tank was empty, and the right fuel tank was full. The pilot reported that a ladder was not available so he did not visually check the fuel in the tanks. He reported that he had planned to do three takeoff and landings. He reported that he departed on the first takeoff and while turning a left base for runway 32, the engine quit. He attempted an engine restart but without success. He executed a forced landing to a cornfield. The inspection of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty. When the battery was turned on, the left fuel gauge indicated full and the right tank indicated no fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3794Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3794Y-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 21058294, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210 D - Registry model: [Cessna 210D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210d) (registry code 2073414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21058294 - Engines: Continental IO-520-A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Neal R. Nagel - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FWA, Fort Wayne, IN - Airport: FWA, Fort Wayne, runway 32 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 3,400 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 3,350 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20070810020109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070810020109A), Aug 10, 2007: Cessna 210D, Ft. Wayne, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot's intent was to do pattern work and complete 3 touch and go landings. After checking ATIS, the pilot called the tower and was cleared to runway… 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.