# NTSB FTW85LA286: Cessna T210N, N5203A, College Station, TX, July 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1985, 15:55 local (20:55 UTC)
- Place: College Station, TX
- Location: 30.6280° N, 96.3344° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of College Station, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6280&lon=-96.3344&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA286

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - complacency, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (cause)

## Analysis

ABOUT 25 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PLANNED INTERMEDIATE STOP, THE RIGHT FUEL TANK RAN DRY. AFTER SWITCHING TANKS, THEPLT DECIDED TO DIVERT TO A NEARBY ARPT TO REFUEL. DURING THE DESCENT, THE LEFT FUEL TANK RAN DRY AND THE ENG QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT PICKED OUT A DIRT ROAD AND SET UP THE APCH FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. WHILE ON SHORT FINAL THE PLT OBSERVED A TRUCK PULL ONTO THE ROAD AHEAD. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED THE ACFT ON THE NOSE GEAR, COLLAPSING IT. THE PLT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND RELIED ON THE LINE PERSONNEL'S STATEMENT THAT THE TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5203A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5203A), registered now, S/N 21063306, 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: 21063306
- Airframe hours: 1400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: M. F. Webster
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: F74, HILLSBORO, TX
- Destination: SPX, HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 14,000 total, 14,000 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLL, 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 19850712031029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850712031029A), Jul 12, 1985: Cessna T210N, College Station, TX, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion en route. Did not visually check tanks prior to flight. Landed on dirt road collapsing nose gear.

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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