# NTSB CHI83LA378: Cessna T210M, N732NJ, Troy, MI, August 13, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 12, 1983, 23:30 local (Aug 13, 1983, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Troy, MI
- Coordinates: 42.730514, -82.789207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7305&lon=-82.7892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 7 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12307
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA378
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12307/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA378

## 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
  - fuel system,fuel control - pressure excessive (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD USED ALL THE FUEL IN ONE TANK. HE CONTINUED FLT TO TROY-OAKLAND ADVISING DETROIT OF HIS FUEL STATE. DETROIT APPROACH VECTORED HIM TO THE ARPT BUT THE PILOT CLAIMED HE COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS BY KEYING HIS MIKE. HE CIRCLED THE ARPT 6 TIMES BEFORE APPROACHING FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING. TURNING ON BASE LEG FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED. THE RWY LIGHTS WERE OUT OF SERVICE WAS THE SUBJECTOF A NOTAM DATED 8/10/83. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY USED THIS ARPT WHEN THE LIGHTS WERE PARTIALLY INOPERABLE. THE PILOT AND ARPT MANAGER CHECKED THE LIGHTS THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND 30 PERCENT OF THE LIGHTS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE FUEL INJECTOR CONTROL VALVE WAS FOUND TO BE CALIBRATED RICHER THAN CALLED FOR BY THE MFGR'S SPECS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N732NJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061641
- Airframe hours: 2009
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Flavin Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: 8D4, SPARTA, MI
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 7D2, Troy-Oakland, runway 9, 3,855 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 563 total, 13 in this make and model, 477 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DET, 12 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 19830812043799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830812043799A), Aug 12, 1983: Cessna T210M, Troy, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed at night one fourth mile from runway after engine quit from fuel exhaustion.

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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