# NTSB DEN91LA014: Cessna T-210-M, N621BD, Buena Vista, CO, October 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1990, 18:30 local (Oct 29, 1990, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Buena Vista, CO
- Coordinates: 38.829322, -106.139228 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8293&lon=-106.1392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91LA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91LA014

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FUEL SUPPLY RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING FIVE PASSENGERS ON A ROUND TRIP CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGERS, THEY PAID THE PILOT FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID HE TOOK OFF WITH WHAT HE ESTIMATED WAS 64 GALLONS OF FUEL. TWO HOURS AND TWENTY FIVE MINUTES LATER, HE REPORTED THAT THE PLANE WAS OUT OF FUEL, AND HE ATTEMPTED AN ENGINE OUT LANDING TO RUNWAY 33. THE PLANE LANDED 400 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE, SHEARED THE NOSE GEAR, AND NOSED OVER. THE PLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED 40 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. BOTH WINGS, THE CABIN AND FUSELAGE WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE RESCUE PERSONNEL AND LAW OFFICERS ON THE SCENE REPORTED THE TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NO FUEL SPILL WAS FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND NO FUEL IN THE ENGINE SYSTEM, AND COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN ANY INCREASED FUEL USAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N621BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N621BD-1992-03-16), registration cancelled 1992-03-16, S/N 21061969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-210-M
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 210-61969
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Denver Air Center
- Departed: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Destination: BJC, BROOMFIELD, CO
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 7V1, Buena Vista, runway 33, 9,000 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 425 total, 18 in this make and model, 342 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

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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