# NTSB FTW91LA037: Cessna 210L, N210YB, Brownsville, TX, February 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1991, 20:22 local (Feb 12, 1991, 02:22 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Location: 25.9160° N, 97.4378° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BROWNSVILLE/SOUTH PADRE ISLAND INTL (BRO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9160&lon=-97.4378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO HIS DEPARTURE ON THE LAST LEG OF THE FLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence

## Analysis

UPON RETURNING FROM A ROUND ROBIN CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS WHILE ON A TWO MILE FINAL TO HIS DESTINATION. HE REPORTED THE POWER LOSS TO THE TOWER AND STATED THAT HE THOUGHT HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO MAKE IT TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN SHORT AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE, AND A DITCH, SLIDING TO A STOP AGAINST THE AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ABOUT ONE GALLON OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N210YB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060354
- Airframe hours: 2320
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pesa Sales Co., Inc.
- Registered owner: Pesa Sales Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1990, 68 hours before
- Departed: SLW, SALTILLO
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BRO, S. Padre Int'L, runway 13, 7,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,152 total, 3,427 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910211002069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910211002069A), Feb 11, 1991: Cessna 210L, Brownsville, TX, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to airport. Struck a fence short of runway.

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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