# NTSB CHI91LA101: Cessna T210N, N210MS, Elwood, IN, February 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1991, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Elwood, IN
- Coordinates: 40.269493, -85.830261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2695&lon=-85.8303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15016
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15016/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA101

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION. A RELATED FACTOR WAS: SOFT TERRAIN IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - not attained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING CRUISE FLIGHT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 4000 FT MSL, A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED.  THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENGINE, BUT TO NO AVAIL.  A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A MUDDY FIELD WITH THE GEAR RETRACTED. POST-ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED 25 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PILOT WAS ACCUSTOMED TO FLYING AIRPLANES WITH A 'BOTH' POSITION ON THE FUEL SELECTOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210MS), registered now, S/N 21063411, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063411
- Engines: LYCOMING TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: A&M Avaition
- Departed: CGS, COLLEGE PARK, MD
- Destination: LAF, LAFEYETTE, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 730 total, 81 in this make and model, 530 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Observed at: GUS, 23 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 19910227003589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910227003589A), Feb 27, 1991: Cessna T210N, Elwood, IN, Substantial damage. Ran left tank dry. Unable restart on right fuel tank.

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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