# NTSB FTW89LA160: Cessna 210P, N732XW, Bethany, OK, September 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1989, 21:55 local (Sep 7, 1989, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Bethany, OK
- Coordinates: 35.499507, -97.640235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4995&lon=-97.6402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA160

## Probable cause

A LOOSE FUEL LINE CONNECTION, DUE TO INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS AND THE OBSTRUCTIONS (HAY BALE & APPROACH LIGHT POLE) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,line - loose (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - other (contributing factor)
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A VISUAL APCH TO LAND AT NIGHT, THE ENG LOST POWER AT ABOUT 400' AGL. THE PLT SAID THE LANDING LIGHTS PROVIDED SUFFICIENT LIGHTING TO LAND SAFELY, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO SEE HAY BALES OR AN APCH LIGHT POLE IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA IN TIME TO AVOID THEM. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED BY A HAY BALE & THE LIGHT POLE. THE ACFT HAD BEEN SVCD WITH 87 GAL OF FUEL, WHICH WAS SUFFICIENT FOR THE 3 HR & 25 MIN FLT. HOWEVER, AN EXAM REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS WERE NEARLY EMPTY. A FURTHER EXAM REVEALED THAT THE FUEL LINE FROM THE FIREWALL TO THE ENG WAS ONLY FINGER TIGHT AT THE CONNECTION WITH THE ENG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732XW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732XW-1991-04-05), registration cancelled 1991-04-05, S/N P21000597 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210P
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P210-00597
- Airframe hours: 906
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Carl R. Messer
- Registered owner: Tlcp Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1987, 32 hours before
- Departed: EVV, EVANSVILLE, IN
- Destination: PWA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PWA, Wiley Post

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 519 in this make and model, 1,629 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 150° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 1 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 19890906033959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890906033959A), Sep 6, 1989: Cessna P210N, Oklahoma City, OK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final approach. Struck hay bale and pole. Fuel low in both tanks. Reported fuel enough for trip.

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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