# NTSB FTW86FRA02: Cessna T210N, N72WF, Houston, TX, December 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1985, 19:15 local (Dec 7, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.649604, -95.280914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6496&lon=-95.2809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FRA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FRA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - flt with inadqt en route/destn facilities - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ACFT HAD EXTRA FUEL CANS ON BOARD AND HAD BEEN FLYING FOR ALMOST 12 HOURS IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID CAPTURE BY U.S. AGENTS FOR THE POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA. THE ACFT CONTAINED 750 LBS OF MARIJUANA OBTAINED IN BELIZE,CENTRAL AMERICA. WHEN HE BECAME AWARE OF PURSUIT BY OTHER ACFT THE PLT REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION SO THAT A LANDING COULD BE MADE AFTER DARK. WHEN HE FAILED TO ELUDE HIS PURSUERS THE PLT FLEW UNTIL FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE PLT IS NOW IN CUSTODY OF U.S. DRUG ENFORCEMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72WF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72WF-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 21063357, 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: 21063357
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: BELIZE, CA
- Destination: UNKNOWN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 3 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 19851206061169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851206061169A), Dec 6, 1985: Cessna T210N, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Struck trees after fuel was exhausted following 12 hour marijuana laden flight. Was being pursued by dea agents.

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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