# NTSB FTW88FA119: Cessna 205, N8181Z, Elgin, TX, June 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1988, 08:41 local (13:41 UTC)
- Place: Elgin, TX
- Coordinates: 30.339187, -97.370948 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3392&lon=-97.3709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA119

## 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 supply - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RADIOED THAT HE WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WHILE BEING VECTORED FOR LANDING. THE CEILING WAS ABOUT 900 FEET WITH 5 MILES VISIBILITY AND THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A LEVEL GRASS FIELD. WITNESSES HEARD THE ENGINE CUTTING OUT AND A LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE FLIGHT PLAN SHOWED 4.5 HOURS OF FUEL AND THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ABOUT 3 HOURS AFTER TAKEOFF. RAW FUEL BURNS IN THE GRASS AT THE CRASH SITE SHOWED THAT FUEL EXHAUSTION DID NOT OCCUR. NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT THE PILOT HAD SATISFACTORILY COMPLETED A BIENNIAL FLIGHT REVIEW WITHIN THE PAST 2 YEARS. HIS LOGBOOK SHOWED THAT HE HAD 5 HOURS ACTUAL OR SIMULATED INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. POST ACC INVEST REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE RT TANK AND THE RT TANK CONTAINED NO FUEL WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8181Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8181Z-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 2050181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5(205)](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5-205) (registry code 2073202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 205 0181
- Airframe hours: 3004
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Christopher, Vijjeswarapu S.
- Registered owner: Christopher, V.S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1988
- Departed: PYX, PERRYTON, TX
- Destination: AUS, AUSTIN, TX
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 468 total, 72 in this make and model, 327 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AUS, 14 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 19880610060439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880610060439A), Jun 10, 1988: Cessna 2105, Austin, TX, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Ran out of fuel on vectors to airport. Stalled and rolled inverted 50 ft AGL prior to impact in open level field.

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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