# NTSB ERA09CA366: Cessna 210-5(205), N8272Z, Porterdale, GA, June 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 24, 2009, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Porterdale, GA - Coordinates: 33.567779, -83.872779 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5678&lon=-83.8728&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA366 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74125/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74125 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA366 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot's use of improper fuel caps. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s selection of an unsuitable area for landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level; cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Maintenance: modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel storage](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 60 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022810/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 210-5(205), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073202), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that during preflight inspection of his Cessna 205, on the day prior to the accident, he had noticed that the seals on the fuel caps were worn. He replaced them with fuel caps borrowed from a friend’s airplane, a Cessna 182. Following the preflight, he departed for a local airport for fuel and then returned. Upon his return he had noticed "gas streaking on top of the wings," but assumed that the fuel vents had discharged some fuel. On the day of the accident he checked the weather and departed with a passenger for a cross-country flight. While en route, the engine "coughed;" he turned on the fuel boost pump and switched the fuel selector from the right to the left tank, after which the engine restarted. The pilot noted that the fuel gauges were fluctuating in-flight between empty and one-quarter tank. Believing that he had sufficient fuel on board, he made a descent and continued towards his destination. Minutes later the engine quit, the pilot switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank, and made a turn for a local airport. Realizing that he would not make it to the airport, the pilot elected to land in a field. The airplane touched down on rough terrain and the nose strut sheared off. The airplane then dug into the ground and flipped over. The propeller, landing gear, wings, fuselage, and empennage incurred damage. The pilot stated that he had replaced the seals in the borrowed caps in order to prevent water from leaking into the fuel, but that the new seals did not fit as tightly and that fuel must have been "sucked" out of the tanks. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during preflight inspection of his Cessna 205, on the day prior to the accident, he had noticed that the seals on the fuel caps were worn. He replaced them with fuel caps borrowed from a friend’s airplane, a Cessna 182. Following the preflight, he departed for a local airport for fuel and then returned. Upon his return he had noticed "gas streaking on top of the wings," but assumed that the fuel vents had discharged some fuel. On the day of the accident he checked the weather and departed with a passenger for a cross-country flight. While en route, the engine "coughed;" he turned on the fuel boost pump and switched the fuel selector from the right to the left tank, after which the engine restarted. The pilot noted the fuel gauges were fluctuating in-flight between empty and one-quarter tank. Believing he had sufficient fuel on board he made a descent and continued towards his destination. Minutes later the engine quit, the pilot switched the fuel selector from the left tank to the right tank, and made a turn for a local airport. Realizing that he would not make it to the airport, the pilot elected to land in a field. The airplane touched down on rough terrain and the nose strut sheared off. The airplane then dug into the ground and flipped over. The propeller, landing gear, wings, fuselage, and empennage incurred damage. The pilot stated that he had replaced the seals in the borrowed caps in order to prevent water from leaking into the fuel, but that the new seals did not fit as tightly and that fuel must have been "sucked" out of the tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8272Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8272Z-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 205-0272, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210-5(205) - Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 205-0272 - Airframe hours: 3935 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2009 - Departed: VG58, Rocky Mount, VA - Destination: FFC, Peachtree City, GA - Airport: 9A1, Covington Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,280 total, 30 in this make and model, 1,120 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: ATL, 29 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 20090624047399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090624047399A), Jun 24, 2009: Cessna 210-5(205), Porterdale, GA, Substantial damage. The following facts are derived from the pilot and passengers written statements: the aircraft was enroute from VG58 to ffc. Approximately 5O miles from ffc,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 17, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74125. 692 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 544 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements to the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector. (item 2, .PDF, 147 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20to%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration%20Inspector.-Redacted.PDF 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.