# NTSB FTW84LA096: Cessna T210N, N4894C, Port Arthur, TX, December 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1983, 18:22 local (Dec 14, 1983, 00:22 UTC)
- Place: Port Arthur, TX
- Coordinates: 29.890285, -93.920089 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8903&lon=-93.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA096
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA096

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASH LANDED IN A MUDDY FIELD ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE ARPT AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND FOUND TO HAVE AN EMPTY LEFT FUEL TANK. THE RIGHT TANK CONTAINED 16 GALLONS OF FUEL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN ALTERNATING TANKS AND SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK BEFORE LANDING AND THE ENGINE QUIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4894C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4894C-2007-10-18), registration cancelled 2007-10-18, S/N 21063658, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063658
- Airframe hours: 260
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Barron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 1, 1983
- Departed: ERV, KERRVILLE, TX
- Airport: BPT, Jefferson Co., runway 30, 6,750 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,300 total, 75 in this make and model, 4,180 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 16 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: BPT, 2 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 19831213064649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831213064649A), Dec 13, 1983: Cessna T210N, Port Arthur, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit while approaching destination as the left tank ran dry. Unable to restart on right tank with fuel.

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.

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