# NTSB DEN88FA111: Cessna T210N, N5536A, Seboyeta, NM, May 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1988, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Seboyeta, NM
- Location: 35.1989° N, 107.3827° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Seboyeta, NM, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1989&lon=-107.3827&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88FA111

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise
  - maneuver - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - stall, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED EL PASO, TX, AND FLEW TO DOUGLAS, AZ, WHERE THREE PAX BOARDED. THE PLT THEN FLEW TO A RANCH NEAR SEBOYETA, NM, AND LANDED ON A DIRT ROAD. AFTER CONDUCTING BUSINESS, THE PLT AND HIS PAX TOOK OFF FOR PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO. AS THE ACFT TURNED ON A X-WIND LEG, THE ENG QUIT. WHEN THE PLT LEVELED THE WINGS, THE ENG STARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE APPROACH, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO AVOID AN ARROYO. THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED. THE PLT WAS KILLED BUT THE 3 PAX SURVIVED. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED TRAPPED FUEL BETWEEN THE FUEL CONTROLLER AND FUEL MANIFOLD. APRX ONE-HALF TANK OF FUEL WAS IN LEFT TANK. RT TANK WAS EMPTY. PLT WAS SEEN TO TURN FUEL SELECTOR FROM LEFT TANK TO RIGHT TANK. ALL FUEL LINES WERE SEVERED. THE ENG WAS LATER FUNCTIONALLY TESTED AND DEVELOPED FULL PWR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5536A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5536A-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 21063487, 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: 21063487
- Airframe hours: 2952
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R9 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: El Slash Cattle Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: El Slash Cattle Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 21, 1988, 8 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: 2V1, PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total, 75 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 38 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 19880527016309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880527016309A), May 27, 1988: Cessna T210N, Seboyeta, NM, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Engine quit on climbout. Stall mushed to wheels up severe impact on rough terrain. Fuel selector on empty 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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