# NTSB FTW96TA186: Cessna T210N, N9403Y, Beaumont, TX, April 28, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: April 28, 1996, 04:24 local (09:24 UTC) - Place: Beaumont, TX - Location: 29.9508° N, 94.0207° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at JACK BROOKS RGNL (BPT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9508&lon=-94.0207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19997 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96TA186 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19997/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96TA186 ## Probable cause Fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to refuel. A factor was the lack of suitable 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, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr) - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - object - approach light/navaid ## Analysis The airplane was operating VFR above the clouds and was unable to locate Beaumont Municipal Airport due to the Beaumont VOR being out of service. The pilot contacted Houston Center and requested radar vectors to Jefferson County Airport, Beaumont, Texas. The pilot was issued an IFR clearance for the ILS Runway 12 approach at Jefferson County Airport. While on final approach, the airplane's engine lost power due to 'fuel exhaustion.' Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. During the attempted gear-up landing, the airplane's left wing struck a medium intensity approach light pole, which was located 1,700 feet from the approach end of runway 12. The flight had originated from New Orleans, Louisiana, about 4 hours 56 minutes before the accident. The fuel quantity gauge was checked for accuracy. Both tanks measured accurately from zero to full. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 1996, about 0424 central daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N9403Y, registered to and operated by the U.S. Customs Service as a public use flight, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Beaumont, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a composite (IFR/VFR) flight plan was filed. The airline transport rated pilot and the air interdiction officer were not injured. The flight originated from Lakefront Airport, New Orleans, Louisiana, about 4 hours 56 minutes before the accident. According to the operator, the airplane was operating VFR above the clouds and was unable to locate Beaumont Municipal Airport due to the Beaumont VOR being out of service. The pilot contacted Houston Center and requested radar vectors to Jefferson County Airport, Beaumont, Texas. The pilot was issued an IFR clearance for the ILS Runway 12 approach at Jefferson County Airport. While on final approach, the pilot reported the field in sight, and was cleared for a visual approach. At about 800 feet AGL, the airplane's engine lost power due to "fuel exhaustion." Attempts to restart the engine were not successful. During the attempted gear-up landing, the airplane's left wing struck a medium intensity approach light pole, which was located 1,700 feet from the approach end of runway 12. The fuel quantity gauge was checked for accuracy. Both tanks measured accurately from zero to full. Examination of the airplane by the operator revealed that, the left wing leading edge was damaged 18 inches inboard from the wing tip. Two propeller blades were bent aft, and one propeller blade was separated at the hub. The nose landing gear was "bowed," and the fuselage aft of the cabin was "wrinkled." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9403Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9403Y), registered now, S/N 21064498, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210N - Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21064498 - Airframe hours: 1836 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Registered owner: U.S. Custom Service - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 2, 1996, 33 hours before - Departed: NEW, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Destination: BMT - Flight plan: VFR/IFR - Airport: BPT, Jefferson County, runway 12, 6,751 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,113 total, 4,939 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 180° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BPT ## 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 19960428035959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960428035959A), Apr 28, 1996: Cessna T210N, Beaumont Port A, TX, Substantial damage. Unable land airport. Vector obtained for approach. Lost power on approach due fuel exhaustion. Landed short. (-23) aircraft was operated on a composite flight… 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.