# NTSB ERA12IA114: Cessna T210L, N717KW, Clewiston, FL, December 18, 2011 - Type: NTSB incident investigation - Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report - Date: December 18, 2011, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Clewiston, FL - Coordinates: 26.600276, -80.941665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.6003&lon=-80.9417&mi=10 - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 27, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82541 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12IA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82541/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82541 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12IA114 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Terrain: water](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 97 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he began the flight with about 15 to 18 gallons of fuel on board. About 45 minutes into the flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot performed an off-airport landing. During the approach, the pilot noticed a power line, overran the field, and the airplane came to rest submerged in a freshwater canal with only the left wing above the water. A postrecovery examination revealed that the fuel selector valve in the cockpit was selected to the left fuel tank, the left fuel tank and the fuel lines to the engine were devoid of fuel, and the right fuel tank contained about 2 gallons of fuel. No fuel or oil was observed in the water around the airplane. No mechanical malfunctions were noted that would have prevented normal operation. According to the pilot’s operating handbook, about 0.5 gallon of fuel per tank is unusable. Although some usable fuel was recovered from the right tank, based on the airplane’s fuel consumption data, fuel exhaustion would have been imminent. Further, the quantity of fuel on board was insufficient to meet the 30-minute day visual flight rules fuel reserve requirements specified in 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91.151(a)(1). ## Factual narrative On December 18, 2011, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210L, N717KW, experienced a total loss of engine power and performed a forced landing on a road approximately 11 miles from the Airglades Airport (2IS), Clewiston, Florida, which was the intended destination. The airplane came to rest in a canal and received minor damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight departed from North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, about 1115. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated the airplane started to lose altitude while flying at 2,500 feet. He switched fuel tanks and the airplane continued to lose altitude. He decided to land on a dirt road; however, he noticed a powerline which "changed the landing decision" and the airplane went into a canal. The rear cabin window was broken by eyewitnesses to help the pilot exit. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident location, the airplane came to rest submerged in a fresh water canal with only the left wing being visible above the water, and exhibited only minor skin damage. The airplane was recovered from the canal and flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. The cockpit fuel selector valve was positioned on the left fuel tank. The left fuel tank was devoid of fuel, and approximately 2 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. The fuel lines to the engine were also devoid of fuel. The pilot reported that when the flight began he had 15 to 18 gallons of fuel on board. According to handwritten paperwork, located inside the cockpit, the most recent tachometer time was 578.6 hours, 14 gallons of fuel onboard, and a departure time of 1115. Although no date was found on the paperwork the tachometer at the accident scene indicated 579.4 hours. According to the Cessna "Turbo Centurion" Owner's Manual, Chapter 6 "Operational Data," the airplane will consume approximately 20 pounds of fuel during a climb to 2,500 feet above mean sea level and between 56 and 98 pounds per hour in cruise flight depending on the power setting used. According to written documentation from personnel with the South Florida Water Management District, no fuel or oil residue was noted around the airplane while it was in the water. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N717KW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N717KW-2013-06-24), registration cancelled 2013-06-24, S/N 21060816, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L - Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21060816 - Airframe hours: 5032 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520-R 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2011, 15 hours before - Departed: HWO, North Perry, FL - Destination: 2IS, Clewiston, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 2IS, Airglades Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review June 10, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 210 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: OBE, 33 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 20111218028569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111218028569A), Dec 18, 2011: Cessna T210L, Clewiston, FL, Substantial damage. During cruise flight from hwo to 2IS/Clewiston, FL at 2500 feet northbound, aircraft began to loose power pilot switched tanks during decent called other… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82541. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum Of Record - FAA Examination (item 2, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Examination-Master.PDF - Written Statement from South Florida Water Management District Personnel (item 3, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360352&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Written%20Statement%20from%20South%20Florida%20Water%20Management%20District%20Personnel-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum Of Record Weather (item 4, .PDF, 108 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360360&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Weather-Master.PDF - Annual Inspection (item 5, .PDF, 150 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362048&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Annual%20Inspection-Redacted.PDF - Cessna 210 Pilot Operating Handbook [Excerpt] (item 6, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40364923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20210%20Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook%20%5BExcerpt%5D-Master.PDF - Photo 1 Airplane At Rest (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 724 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Airplane%20At%20Rest%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Pilot's Kneeboard (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 8, .PDF, 209 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361968&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Pilot%27s%20Kneeboard%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Airplane Tachometer (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 9, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361970&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Airplane%20Tachometer%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 4: Fuel Selector Valve Position (Courtesy of the FAA) (item 10, .PDF, 211 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%3A%20Fuel%20Selector%20Valve%20Position%20(Courtesy%20of%20the%20FAA)-Master.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.