# NTSB FTW87FA102: Cessna T210L, N4637Q, Lufkin, TX, April 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1987, 14:46 local (19:46 UTC)
- Place: Lufkin, TX
- Coordinates: 31.329065, -94.720344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3291&lon=-94.7203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA102

## 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 - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT REDUCED POWER AND WAS DESCENDING FOR A VFR STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT HAD THE SELECTOR ON THE LEFT TANK WITH 4 TO 5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THIS TANK. DURING THE DESCENT THE FUEL TANK OUTLET LINE BECAME UNPORTED CAUSING AIR TO BE DRAWN INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE RIGHT TANK BUT DID NOT REALIZE THE ENGINE WAS NOT OPERATING UNTIL HE ADDED POWER ON FINAL APPROACH. HE COULD NOT RESTART THE ENGINE AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PASTURE ON ROUGH AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. THE PILOT COULD NOT REMEMBER TURNING ON THE ELECTRIC FUEL BOOST PUMP. DURING IMPACT A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED AND CONSUMED THE COCKPIT, CABIN AREA AND INBOARD HALF OF THE LEFT WING. THE BOOST PUMP SWITCH POSITION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO THE FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4637Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4637Q-1990-03-09), registration cancelled 1990-03-09, S/N 21059537 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059537
- Airframe hours: 2760
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard D.Moniece
- Registered owner: B H Mcdaniel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LFK, Angelina County, runway 7, 4,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,605 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 1,555 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 13
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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