# NTSB CHI94LA047: Cessna T210, N210MD, Ashley, IN, December 9, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 9, 1993, 18:04 local (23:04 UTC) - Place: Ashley, IN - Coordinates: 41.639812, -85.00003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6398&lon=-85.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 26, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9438 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9438/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA047 ## Probable cause INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND. A FACTOR RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT IS THE DARK NIGHT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis A CESSNA T210 SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN THE PRIVATE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AS A RESULT OF FUEL EXHAUSTION. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 1993, about 1804 eastern standard time (EST), a Cessna T210, N210MD, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing following a loss of engine power, approximately 5 miles south-southwest of Angola, Indiana's Tri-State Airport. An IFR flight plan was on file for the 14 CFR Part 91 business flight operating under visual meteorological conditions. The pilot reported checking the fuel gauges on departure from Porter County Municipal Airport (VPZ), Valparaiso, Indiana to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE), Cleveland, Ohio. The fuel gauges read at or near full level. On the return trip from CLE to VPZ, the pilot reported he felt the fuel level was lower than he expected. The private pilot requested new destination because 'we're low on fuel'. The controller noticed the aircraft descending through altitude limit of 2500 and restated the Fort Wayne, Indiana altimeter and to maintain 2500. At this time the pilot reported an engine failure. The aircraft glided to a forced landing in a farm field in Ashley, Indiana. The pilot-in- command and a pilot rated passenger were both seriously injured. The rear passenger received minor injuries. Postaccident investigation found less than one pint of light blue colored fuel in each of the fuel tanks. No fuel stains were found on the upper wing surfaces near the filler caps. The fuel filler caps, seals and cap adapters appeared to be in good condition. The engine started normally and ran smoothly during a postaccident run-up. The airframe was destroyed by impact with the terrain and subsequent ground skid of approximately 120 feet. The lower fuselage sustained impact damage, the three propeller blades were bent aft, and the wing tips bent down outboard of the flap outer end. Flight control continuity was confirmed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N210MD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210MD), registered now, S/N 21064827, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210 - 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: 21064583 - Airframe hours: 2390 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Task Force Tips, Inc. - Registered owner: Task Force Tips, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1993 - Departed: CLE, CLEVELAND, OH - Destination: VPZ, VALPARAISO, IN - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,225 total, 636 in this make and model, 1,068 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FWA, 35 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 19931209046479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931209046479A), Dec 9, 1993: Cessna T210N, Ashley, IN, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route IFR. Crash landed in rough terrain. Failed to have fuel for flight and IFR reserve. 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.