CHI94LA304

The pilot reported he was on final approach to land when he 'noticed a sudden drop in altitude.' He attempted to increase power, but the engine did not respond. He switched fuel tanks, and the engine still did not recover. An emergency landing was made short of the runway in a marshy wet land with tall grass. During the landing, the gear collapsed, and the airplane slid into a tree stump and nosed over. The pilot and two passengers each reported that both fuel gauges were indicating 50 pounds at the time of the accident. An investigation revealed the fuel selector valve was set to the left tank feed position, and the left fuel tank contained only three ounces of fuel. The right tank contained only two gallons of fuel. No fuel spillage was noted, and the fuel line to the distribution manifold contained no fuel.

On August 29, 1994, at 1115 central daylight time, a Cessna 210L airplane, N712JM, sustained substantial damage while on final approach to the Orr Regional Airport, Orr, Minnesota. The private pilot and two passengers reported no injuries. The personal flight originated about 0620 in Evansville, Indiana, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. An IFR flight plan was filed.

During his initial telephone interview with an NTSB investigator, the pilot reported he was uncertain if he had run out of fuel or not.

In his written statement, the pilot reported he was on final approach to runway 31 approximately one half mile to one mile from the runway threshold. He reported he was on a normal glidepath when he "noticed a sudden drop in altitude." When he attempted to increase power, the engine did not respond. He switched fuel tanks and the engine did not recover. He landed the airplane in a marshy area short of the runway with "a little flare." The landing gear collapsed, the airplane slid into a tree stump, and nosed over. The pilot and the two passengers each reported that both fuel gauges were indicating 50 pounds at the time of the accident.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, who examined the wreckage several days after the accident, reported the fuel selector was in the left tank feed position. The left fuel tank contained approximately 8 ounces of water and 3 ounces of fuel. The right tank contained about 3 ounces of water and less than two gallons of fuel. The fuel strainer contained one half to one ounce of fuel. The fuel line to the distribution manifold contained no fuel.

During a telephone interview on October 26, the FAA Inspector stated the fuel tanks and lines were intact and there was no evidence of fuel spillage. He said when he applied electrical power to the airplane both fuel gauges moved off of the lower stop and indicated "nearly empty."

The electric fuel pump was activated and no fuel was discharged. When the fuel selector valve was placed in the right tank feed position, a steady stream of fuel was available.

The pilot's operating handbook for the Cessna 210 specifies that one gallon of the 90 gallon total fuel capacity is unusable fuel. It contains a note which states "Unusable fuel is at a minimum due to the design of the fuel system. However, when the fuel tanks are 1/4 full or less, prolonged uncoordinated flight such as slips or skids can uncover the fuel tank outlets... ."