# NTSB ERA19LA061: Cessna P210, N731LT, Myerstown, PA, December 8, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 8, 2018, 13:14 local (18:14 UTC) - Place: Myerstown, PA - Coordinates: 40.352222, -76.329719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3522&lon=-76.3297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Textron Aviation, FAA/FSDO, Rolls Royce - NTSB case key (mKey): 98745 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA19LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98745/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98745 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA061 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## 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 management (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was flying the airplane to a nearby airport to obtain fuel. Before departing on the flight, he checked the fuel quantity using the onboard fuel totalizer and determined that both fuel gauges indicated adequate fuel for the intended flight. During the landing approach at the destination, the engine lost total power and the airplane impacted terrain short of the runway. The pilot reported that the loss of power was due to fuel starvation. A witness at the airport reported that the airplane made a "very sharp left-banking turn" as it flew overhead, then climbed steeply and made another sharp left turn to enter the traffic pattern for landing. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the flight control system that would have prevented normal operation. No evidence of fuel was found in the engine-driven fuel pump filter; the filter was clean. There was no evidence of fuel in the lines between the engine-driven pump and engine gas producer. Before recovery from the accident site, less than 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the left wing tanks and less than 4 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tanks. The pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane stated that, when the fuel tanks were 1/4-full or less, prolonged uncoordinated flight, such as slips or skids, could uncover the fuel tank outlets, causing fuel starvation and engine stoppage. It is likely that given the airplane’s low fuel state, the abrupt maneuvers caused the fuel outlets to become uncovered, resulting in fuel starvation to the engine and a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On December 8, 2018, at 1314 eastern standard time, a Cessna P210, N731LT, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Myerstown, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was flying to a nearby airport to refuel the airplane. He stated that he checked the fuel using the onboard fuel totalizer, and both fuel gauges indicated that there was enough fuel for the intended flight. During the approach, the engine lost total power on the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot reported that the loss of engine power was due to fuel starvation. The pilot also reported that he should have used a fuel tank dip stick to confirm the amount of fuel onboard. According to a witness at the airport, as the airplane approached the airport, it made a "very sharp left-banking turn" as it flew over. The airplane then climbed steeply and made another sharp left turn to enter the left downwind for runway 19. He watched as the airplane continued the downwind leg, then made another sharp left turn to final. The airplane then turned to final and appeared to "stall" before impacting the ground. The airplane came to rest about one-half mile short of runway 19. A review of photographs provided by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both left and right outboard wing sections. The engine was partially attached to the firewall and remained within the engine mount. Before recovery from the site, less than 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the left-wing tanks and less than 4 gallons of fuel was drained from the right-wing tanks. The fuel was examined for contamination, and none was found. Examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of fuel in the engine-driven fuel pump filter, and the filter was clean. There was no evidence of fuel in the lines between the engine-driven pump and engine gas producer. The pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane contained the note: Unusable fuel is at a minimum due to the design of the fuel system. However, when the fuel tanks are 1/4 full or less, prolonged uncoordinated flight such as slips or skids can uncover the fuel tank outlets, causing fuel starvation and engine stoppage. Therefore, with low fuel reserves, do not allow the airplane to remain in uncoordinated flight for periods in excess of one minute. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N731LT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N731LT), registered now, S/N P21000436, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna P210 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000436 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 5076 - Engines: Allison 250-B17F2 250 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 2018 - Departed: S37, Smoketown, PA - Destination: 9D4, Myerstown, PA - Airport: 9D4, Deck, runway 19, 3,786 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 30.45 inHg - Observed at: KMUI, 1 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 20181208017869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181208017869A), Dec 8, 2018: Cessna P210N, Meyerstown, PA, Destroyed. Iic assisted by operations inspector arrived on-scene. Observation revealed aircraft impacted nose low and left wing down. Propeller was located approximately… ## Other investigations on N731LT (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA16LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA042), Nov 6, 2015: Cessna P210 (N731LT), Atlanta, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's delayed extension of the landing gear and his failure to ensure that the main landing gear (MLG) were down and locked before touchdown, which resulted in the collapse of both MLG.… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98745. 15.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9510182&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20report%20N731LT_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 608 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9510220&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20statement%20Narrative%20for%20N731LT%20%20C_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record airport manager statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9510265&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20airport%20manager%20statement%20ERA19LA061-Rel.pdf - Memorandum of record Textron aviation excerpts (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 117 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9511057&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20Of%20Record%20Textron%20statement%20excerpts%20LA061-Rel.pdf - Pilot record excerpts (item 5, PDF, 5 pages, 6.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9510948&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20records%2019%20LA061_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records and POH excerpts (item 6, PDF, 5 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9511415&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MX%20and%20POH%20excerpts%20LA061_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 7, PDF, 10 pages, 769 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9511283&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Party%20form%20textron_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9511406&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20LA061-Rel.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.