# NTSB FTW04CA084: Cessna T210M, N50MC, Grape Creek, TX, February 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 28, 2004, 14:46 local (20:46 UTC) - Place: Grape Creek, TX - Coordinates: 31.3575, -100.496109 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3575&lon=-100.4961&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 58819 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04CA084 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58819/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04CA084 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis The 6,500-hour commercial pilot reported that prior to departing he had, "completed a preflight and checked all fuel tanks to make sure they were full." During the 580-nautical mile cross-country flight, while in cruise flight at 11, 000 feet msl, the pilot advised air traffic control that he was low on fuel and requested a straight-in approach to the airport. Approximately nine minutes later, during a descent in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot informed air traffic control that the engine was "quitting" and, "we're out of gas... we're out of gas." The pilot regained visual contact approximately 1, 200 feet above the ground, and landed in a partially obstructed field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with mesquite trees of various sizes. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing fuel tank contained approximately one cup of fuel, and that no fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. Both fuel caps were found secured and intact. ## Factual narrative On February 28, 2004, at 1446 central standard time, a Cessna T210M single-engine airplane, N50MC, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Grape Creek, Texas. The commercial pilot, and one of his two passengers sustained minor injuries. The other passenger was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Butler Brothers and Cervi Rodeo Co., of Hungerford, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed for the business flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The 580-nautical mile cross-country flight originated from Greeley, Colorado, at 0940 mountain standard time, and was destined for the San Angelo Regional Airport (SJT), near San Angelo, Texas. A review of voice communications revealed the 6,500-hour pilot had notified air traffic control that he was critical on fuel and had requested a straight-in approach to San Angelo. A controller provided information to the pilot for a surveillance approach, and cleared him to descend to an altitude of 4,300 feet msl. Approximately nine minutes after reporting that he was critical on fuel, the pilot reported that the engine was "quitting" and said, "we're out gas...we're out of gas." The pilot descended in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) until he reached an approximate altitude of 3,000 feet msl (approximately 1,100 above ground level). The controller informed the pilot that there was a highway approximately 3 nautical miles south of his position and ranches in the vicinity of his position. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he had, "completed a preflight and checked all fuel tanks to make sure they were full" prior to departing. When he was approximately 20 miles northeast of the San Angelo Airport, at 11,000 feet msl, the engine stopped producing power, and he descended through IMC between 8,200 feet and 3,400 feet msl. Once the pilot had the ground in sight, he turned the airplane into the wind, which was from the south at 25 knots, and landed in a partially obstructed field. Upon landing, the airplane impacted multiple mesquite trees of various sizes. Examination of the airplane by an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the right wing fuel tank contained approximately one cup of fuel, and no fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. Both the left and right fuel caps were secure and intact. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: N50MC (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210M - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21062509 - Airframe hours: 2520 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Butler Brothers and Cervi Rodeo Company - Registered owner: Butler Brothers and Cervi Rodeo Co. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2003, 140 hours before - Departed: GXY, Greeley, CO - Destination: SJT, San Angelo, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: SJT, San Angelo Regional Airport/Ma ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review November 13, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 380 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 13 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: SJT, 6 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 20040228002909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040228002909A), Feb 28, 2004: Cessna T210M, Grape Creek, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On February 28, 2004, at approximately 20:46 UTC, a Cessna T210M, N50MC, owned by buetler brothers and cervi rodeo company and operated by [privacy data… 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.