# NTSB FTW96LA397: Cessna T210L, N369PT, Lonestar, TX, September 21, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 20, 1996, 20:00 local (Sep 21, 1996, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Lonestar, TX - Location: 32.9400° N, 94.7091° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lone Star, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9400&lon=-94.7091&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19988 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA397 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19988/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA397 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations resulting in the fuel exhaustion. A factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was being vectored around thunderstorm activity while en route from a fuel stop to his intended destination. He indicated to approach control that he was low on fuel, and he was going to attempt to locate and land at a private airport. The engine lost power, and the aircraft landed in trees about 1 mile south of the airport and came to rest inverted. According to the pilot's written statement, he was calculating the airplane's fuel burn in miles per gallon instead of gallons per hour. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airplane had run out of fuel. The engine was test run, and it ran for approximately 30 minutes with no difficulties noted. Inspection of the engine and airframe log books revealed that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection. ## Factual narrative On September 20, 1996, at 2000 central daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N369PT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Lonestar, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by a private owner, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight that originated from Akron Fulton International Airport, Akron, Ohio. A flight plan was not filed. The pilot stated during a telephone interview conducted by an FAA inspector that he was being vectored around thunderstorm activity while en route from a fuel stop in Missouri to his intended destination of Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas. The pilot indicated to approach control that he was low on fuel, and he was going to attempt to locate and land at Lonestar Steel Company's private airport. One mile south of the airport the engine lost power. During the emergency landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot was able to disembark unassisted. He remained with the aircraft for nearly 5 hours before being rescued by local authorities. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that he was calculating the airplane's fuel burn in miles per gallon instead of gallons per hour. During a telephone interview conducted by the investigator in charge, the pilot stated that the airplane had run out of fuel. The engine was operated for approximately 30 minutes at Air Salvage of Dallas, in Lancaster, Texas, and no anomalies were noted. Inspection of the engine and airframe log books revealed that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N369PT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N369PT-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 21061150, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210L - 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: 21061150 - Airframe hours: 3337 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520H4B 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wafford Family Ltd Partnership - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1995, 279 hours before - Departed: POF, POPLAR BLUFF, MO - Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 516 total, 90 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19960920046279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960920046279A), Sep 20, 1996: Cessna T210L, Lonestar, TX, No damage. (-23) Aircraft departed akron fulton iap, oh enroute to addison airport, TX. Pilot stopped for fuel and to use the facilities a poplar bluff, MO. Pilot… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.