# NTSB DEN04LA025: Cessna T210K, N81PC, Deming, NM, November 30, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 30, 2003, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC) - Place: Deming, NM - Coordinates: 32.262222, -107.720558 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2622&lon=-107.7206&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 30, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58395 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN04LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58395/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision. Factors contributing to the accident were fuel exhaustion and the fence. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - fence (contributing factor) - altitude - low - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was on approach to the airport. At 5 nautical miles from the airport, the airplane was approximately 4,000 feet above ground level. The pilot lowered the landing gear, set 30 degrees of flaps, and initiated several "S" turns to lose altitude. The pilot said that at 2 miles from the runway, he switched his fuel selector to the right fuel tank, which had more fuel. The pilot continued the "S" turns until he was 1/3 mile from the end of the runway. When he applied power to level off, there was no response. The pilot selected a field to the right of his final approach course. The airplane touched down approximately 20 feet short of his intended field. The airplane struck a wrought iron fence, collapsing the nose gear and the left main landing gear. An examination of the engine showed no evidence of fuel in the fuel distribution manifold or fuel lines. An examination of the fuel tanks showed some fuel in the right fuel tank. An examination of the airplane's, engine controls and remaining systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative On November 30, 2003, at approximately 1135 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210K, N81PC, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing near Deming, New Mexico. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal, cross-country flight from Oakland, California, to Deming, New Mexico, was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The flight originated at 0500 Pacific standard time. The pilot reported he was on approach into the Deming Municipal Airport (DMN). At 5 nautical miles from the airport, the airplane was approximately 4,000 feet above ground level. The pilot lowered the landing gear, 30 degrees of flaps, and initiated several "S" turns to lose altitude. The pilot said that at 2 miles from the runway, he switched his fuel selector to the right fuel tank, which had more fuel. The pilot continued the "S" turns until he was 1/3 mile from the end of the runway. When he applied power to level off, there was no response. The pilot selected a field to the right of his final approach course. The airplane touched down approximately 20 feet short of his intended field. The airplane struck a wrought iron fence, collapsing the nose gear and the left main landing gear. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the upper and lower cowlings. The firewall was crushed upward and bent aft. The propeller blades were bent aft at mid-span. Flight control continuity was confirmed. An examination of the engine showed no evidence of fuel in the fuel distribution manifold or fuel lines. An examination of the fuel tanks showed some fuel in the right fuel tank. An examination of the airplane's, engine controls and remaining systems revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81PC-2004-02-06), registration cancelled 2004-02-06, S/N 21059381, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210K - Registry model: [Cessna T210K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210k) (registry code 2073447) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T210K59381 - Airframe hours: 5320.3 - Engines: Continental TSIO520R 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John H. Austin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2003, 163.7 hours before - Departed: OAK, Oakland, CA - Destination: DMN, Deming, NM - Airport: DMN, Deming Municipal Airport, runway 8, 6,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 15, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 5,787 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 5,637 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: DMN, 1 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 20031130033599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031130033599A), Nov 30, 2003: Cessna T210K, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On November 30, 2003 at 1335 mountain standard time, a Cessna model T210, (N81PC), registered to, and operated by, [privacy data omitted], [privacy data… ## Other investigations on N81PC (1) 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. - [NTSB OAK76DVD50](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVD50), Aug 8, 1976: Cessna T210 (N81PC), Novato, CA, substantial damage 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.