# NTSB FTW95TA187: Cessna 210J, N2423S, Fabens, TX, May 4, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1995, 09:12 local (14:12 UTC)
- Place: Fabens, TX
- Coordinates: 31.499851, -106.149406 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4999&lon=-106.1494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95TA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95TA187

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination,water (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff
- Overrun, emergency landing after takeoff

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER WHILE ON INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB AT AN ALTITUDE OF 75 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN OF THE RUNWAY, OVERRAN THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER AFTER IMPACTING A SAND DUNE. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM.

## Factual narrative

On May 4, 1995 at 0912 central daylight time, a Cessna 210J, N2423S, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Fabens, Texas.  The instructor pilot and the commercial pilot receiving instruction were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the public use flight.  A company VFR flight plan was in effect at the time of the accident.

According to the operator, the engine lost power while on initial takeoff climb at an altitude of 75 feet AGL.  The airplane touched down on the runway, overran the end of the runway and nosed over after impacting a sand dune.

A post accident examination of the powerplant revealed that the loss of power was the result of water contamination of the aircraft fuel system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2423S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2423S), registered now, S/N 21061275, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210J
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061275
- Airframe hours: 2936
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: U.S Border Patrol
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: E35
- Airport: E35, Fabens Airport, runway 8, 4,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 7,766 total, 54 in this make and model, 7,620 as pilot in command, 62 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19950504047299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950504047299A), May 4, 1995: Cessna T210L, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power on initial climbout. Landed on remaining runway. Overran end. Nosed over in sand dune. Water in 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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