# NTSB DEN92FA045: Cessna T210N, N212CS, Larkspur, CO, March 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1992, 14:17 local (21:17 UTC)
- Place: Larkspur, CO
- Coordinates: 39.180702, -104.889289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1807&lon=-104.8893&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 June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92FA045

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE DUE TO HIS REDUCED FORWARD VISIBILITY.  FACTORS WERE:  THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, HIS FAILURE TO PROCEED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING SNOW, FOG, AND OBSCURATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - flare - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS DEPARTED SANTA ANA, CA, AT 0816 PST, ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN TO TUCUMCARI, NM.  EN ROUTE, THE PILOT CHANGED HIS DESTINATION TO DENVER, CO.  AT 1416 MST, WHILE BEING RADAR VECTORED TO INTERCEPT THE LOCALIZER COURSE TO CENTENNIAL AIRPORT'S RUNWAY 35R, THE PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY.  A SURVIVING PASSENGER SAID HE HEARD SOMEONE SAY THEY WERE OUT OF GAS.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ATOP A SNOW COVERED MESA.  THE LANDING GEAR WAS DOWN BUT THE FLAPS WERE UP WHEN THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED TERRAIN.  AN ESTIMATED ONE CUP OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE FUEL TANKS, AND ABOUT TWO TABLESPOONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE FUEL PUMP AND GASCOLATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N212CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N212CS-1995-06-07), registration cancelled 1995-06-07, S/N 21063203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063203
- Airframe hours: 1668
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-HCMC 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Electrosolve Services
- Registered owner: Electrosolve Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 17, 1992, 20 hours before
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: APA, ENGLEWOOD, CO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 575 total, 67 in this make and model, 514 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APA, 25 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 19920331007919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920331007919A), Mar 31, 1992: Cessna T210N, Denver, CO, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel on approach. Broke out of clouds low and impacted ground high speed. Passenger tried calm pilot.

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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