FTW01LA096

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna T210M · Abilene, TX · April 6, 2001

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
April 6, 2001, 18:44 local (23:44 UTC)
Place
Abilene, TX
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N555HGCessna T210M
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 9, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
FAA FSDO
FAA report
20010406007349A
Case key
52052

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the loss of engine power while on final approach due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper use of the fuel selector. A contributing factor was the elevated runway edge.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalApproach - vfr pattern - final approach
Fuel tank selector position - improperPilot in commandCause
Fluid,fuel - starvationCause
Checklist - not followedPilot in commandFactor
Forced landingEmergency descent/landing
Gear collapsedLanding - roll
Terrain condition - otherFactor

Analysis

While on final approach to the runway, the pilot "neglected to switch from the right empty tank to [the] left tank, which was 1/2 full." The pilot stated that at about 100 feet above the ground, on short final, the engine "ran out of gas." He switched to the left fuel tank, "hit the boost pump, full throttle and mixture;" however, he could not restart the engine. A forced landing was initiated, and the airplane touched down approximately 30 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed as it hit the 6-inch lip of the runway pavement. The airplane came to a stop upright on the runway about 65 yards from the approach end.

Factual narrative

On April 6, 2001, at 1844 central daylight time, a Cessna T210M airplane, N555HG, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during landing near Abilene, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The cross-country flight originated from the Dallas Air Park Airport, Dallas, Texas, at 1700.

The pilot reported that while on final approach for runway 17, after receiving clearance to land, he "neglected to switch from the right empty tank to [the] left tank which was 1/2 full." He stated that at about 100 feet above the ground, on short final, the engine "ran out of gas." He switched to the left fuel tank, "hit the boost pump, full throttle and mixture;" however, he could not restart the engine. A forced landing was initiated, and the airplane touched down approximately 30 feet short of the runway. During the landing roll, the nose landing gear collapsed as it hit the 6-inch lip of the runway pavement. The airplane came to a stop upright on the runway, about 65 yards from the approach end.

The FAA inspector reported that the nose landing gear was folded aft, and the firewall was damaged.

Aircraft

Registration
N555HG
Reported as
Cessna T210M
Category
Airplane
Serial number
21062929
Airframe hours
3,591
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-R, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Pete G. Ledbetter
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
F69 · Dallas, TX
Destination
ABI · Abilene, TX
Airport
ABI · Abilene Regional, runway 17R, 7,202 × 150 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
51
Injuries
None
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
July 25, 1999
Seat
Left
Flight hours
1,138 total · 1,000 in this make and model · 1,044 as pilot in command

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
160° at 18 knots, gusting 27
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
72 °F, dew point 64 °F
Altimeter
29.70 inHg
Observed at
ABI

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.