FTW95LA249

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna T210N · Fort Stockton, TX · June 17, 1995

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 17, 1995, 16:22 local (21:22 UTC)
Place
Fort Stockton, TX
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Enroute
Aircraft
XBGPJCessna T210N
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 31, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
Case key
19458

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The fuel exhaustion induced power loss due to the pilot becoming lost/disoriented. The lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing and the weather conditions were factors.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalCruise - normal
Weather condition - cloudsFactor
Became lost/disoriented - inadvertentPilot in commandCause
Fluid,fuel - exhaustionCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
On ground/water collision with objectLanding - flare/touchdown
Object - tree(s)
Terrain condition - none suitableFactor

Analysis

On a ferry flight within Mexico, the pilot became disoriented while attempting to navigate around weather. The airplane drifted into united states airspace and was tracked by radar. A forced landing was attempted to a mesquite tree covered field after the engine lost power. The airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position after the impacting trees during the landing flare. Post-accident investigation revealed that both fuel tanks were empty.

Factual narrative

On June 17, 1995, at 1622 central daylight time, a Cessna T210N, Mexican registration XBGFJ, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fort Stockton, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the ferry flight.

The airplane was tracked by radar across the Mexican border. U.S Border Patrol and Customs Officers responded to the scene of the accident. The airplane was inspected for contraband and illegal cargo. None was found.

According to Border Patrol personnel at the site, the Mexican pilot stated that he was on a ferry flight from Nachasari, Mexico, to Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The pilot further stated that he got disoriented while trying to navigate around weather. He also stated that the engine started to run rough and lost power.

A forced landing was attempted on a westerly heading to a mesquite tree covered field. The airplane nosed over after impacting the six foot tall mesquite trees, coming to rest in the inverted position. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that both fuel tanks were empty.

Several attempts were made to contact the pilot and the owner of the airplane by mail and by telephone. None were successful in producing a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

Aircraft

Registration
XBGPJ
Reported as
Cessna T210N
Category
Airplane
Serial number
21064634
Engine
Continental IO-520-L, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Ferry · Part 91
Registered owner
Pablo Bissuet
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
Nachasari
Destination
MMCS · Ciudad Juarez

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Unknown, Unknown
Seat
Left
Flight hours
2,500 total

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
130° at 12 knots, gusting 25
Visibility
20 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
20,000 ft broken
Temperature
84 °F, dew point 55 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
INK