# NTSB FTW84LA388: Cessna T210M, N761VP, Austin, TX, September 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1984, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Austin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.380186, -97.669692 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3802&lon=-97.6697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84LA388
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA388

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - fuel system,primer system - unlocked (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) not listed, manufacturer (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,primer system - open (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING ARRIVAL, THE PLT REDUCED POWER ON BASE LEG FOR FOR A LANDING. WHEN HE REALIZED HIS AIRSPEED WAS DISSIPATING FASTER THAN NORMAL, HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE, BUT THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND. THE PLT THEN SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, TURNED ON THE BOOST PUMP & APPLIED FULL THROTTLE, BUT THE ENG STILL DID NOT RESPOND. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE FLARING FOR A FORCED LANDING, THE ACFT HIT A TREE & CRASHED. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING THEIR SHOULDER HARNESSES & WERE NOT INJURED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE FUEL PRIMER WAS FOUND UNLOCKED & EXTENDED ABOUT 1-1/2 INCHES. DURING AN OPERATIONAL CHECK, THE ENG STARTED & RAN NORMALLY AT 1500 RPM. WHEN THE PRIMER WAS UNLOCKED & PARTIALLY OPENED, THE ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, ITS SPEED DECREASED TO 700 RPM & THE ENG EMITTED BLACK SMOKE THRU THE EXHAUST. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT AT LOW RPM WITH THE PRIMER OPEN, FUEL WOULD SIPHON INTO THE MANIFOLD & CAUSE THE ENG TO RUN TOO RICH. ORIGINALLY, THE PRIMER HAD BEEN INSTALLED AS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT FOR STARTS IN EXTREMELY COLD WX & WAS NOT LISTED IN THE FLT MANUAL CHECK LIST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761VP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761VP-1985-06-24), registration cancelled 1985-06-24, S/N 21062555 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062555
- Airframe hours: 965
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard A. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1984, 42 hours before
- Departed: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Airport: 3R3, Executive, runway 18, 4,000 × 48 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 551 total, 197 in this make and model, 432 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 7 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 19840911047989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840911047989A), Sep 11, 1984: Cessna T210M, Austin, TX, Substantial damage. Struck tree and nosed over during emergency landing due to lack of engine response. Primer in open position.

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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