# NTSB FTW94LA079: Cessna T210H, N6914R, Mcallen, TX, February 3, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1994, 17:21 local (23:21 UTC)
- Place: Mcallen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.210527, -98.229194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2105&lon=-98.2292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA079

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL AND THE RESULTANT 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 - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING TWO MISSED APPROACHES TO THE CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, AIRPORT, THE PILOT DIVERTED TO MCALLEN, TX, HIS ALTERNATE. SHORTLY AFTER JOINING THE LOCALIZER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, BOTH FUEL GAUGES INDICATED 1/4 FUEL IN EACH TANK. THE PILOT MADE AN INTENTIONAL WHEELS UP FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD 8 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. HE INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE 25 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND.  THE PILOT SAID HE HAD FLOWN 4.0 HOURS AND THE AIRPLANE HAD AN ENDURANCE OF 5.5 HOURS. SALVAGE PERSONNEL AND AN FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED FINDING NO FUEL IN THE TANKS.  WHEN THE WINGS WERE DEMATED FROM THE FUSELAGE, NO FUEL CAME OUT OF THE FUEL LINES.

## Factual narrative

On February 3, 1994, approximately 1721 central standard time, a Cessna T210H, N6914R, was destroyed during a forced landing about 8 miles northwest of the McAllen, Texas, Airport.  The pilot received minor injuries.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR flight plan had been filed.

The following is based on the pilot/operator report.  The pilot missed two instrument approaches to the Corpus Christi, Texas, Airport, so he diverted to McAllen, Texas, his alternate.  Shortly after intercepting the localizer course at McAllen, the engine lost power.  The pilot said both fuel gauges indicated 1/4 fuel in each tank.  He declared an emergency and, after emerging from the overcast, elected to land wheels up in an open field about 8 miles northwest of the airport.  He inadvertently stalled the airplane 25 feet above the ground.  The pilot said he had flown 4.0 hours and the airplane had an endurance of 5.5 hours.

Salvage personnel and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector who went to the site reported the fuel tanks had not been compromised, and there was no fuel in the tanks.  In addition, when the wings were demated from the fuselage, no fuel came out of the fuel lines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6914R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6914R-2015-05-04), registration cancelled 2015-05-04, S/N T210-0314, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210H
- Registry model: [Cessna T210H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210h) (registry code 2073438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: T210-0314
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Baker, Mark & Curtis, Jerry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ADS, DALLAS, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MFE, Mcallen International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 389 total, 58 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFE, 8 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 19940203001439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940203001439A), Feb 3, 1994: Cessna T210H, Mc Allen, TX, Destroyed. Lost power on approach to alternate airport after missing at destination. Stalled landing off airport. Out of fuel.

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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