FTW97LA142

According to the pilot, he departed with 48 gallons of fuel on board to fly a 223 NM trip, which included 4 full stops. The pilot reported that he believed that he had sufficient fuel to complete the trip, and that he checked the fuel with a company approved calibrated measuring device at each stop. He further stated that as he was nearing his destination, the 'engine quit,' and he performed a forced landing in a 'rugged sage brush field.' Personnel involved in the airplane recovery process reported that they found 'no fuel in the airplane, nor was there any evidence of fuel spillage or leakage on the ground at the scene.' A representative of the airplane's manufacturer calculated that the trip, with 4 full stops, required approximately 56 gallons of fuel to complete.

On March 21, 1997, approximately 0745 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210-L, N613CW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of power during approach near Durango, Colorado. The air transport rated pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was owned by a private individual and operated by New Mexico Flying Service as a Title 14 CFR Part 135 cargo flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country cargo flight which originated from Farmington, New Mexico, approximately 15 minutes before the accident. A company VFR flight plan had been filed with the destination of Durango, Colorado, but the pilot had not activated it.

The pilot reported to the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that when he arrived at the Albuquerque International Airport that morning, "he discovered that his airplane had not been fueled the night before as it normally was, because it had been in the hangar for maintenance when the fuel truck came by." He further reported that he "stuck the tanks with a company calibrated measuring device, which he had recently been provided, and determined that he had 48 gallons of fuel." The pilot stated that he believed he had enough fuel for his flight. He further stated that he chose not to call the fuel truck to "top off his tanks," because he was late for work that day due to visiting relatives.

The pilot's route of flight was Albuquerque, to Grants, to Gallup, to Farmington, to Durango, for a total cumulative distance of 223 NM. The pilot reported to the IIC that during his scheduled stop at Farmington, New Mexico, he checked his fuel tanks again by "sticking" them. He measured 7 gallons in the left tank and 14 gallons in the right tank, which he believed was "more than enough for the 15 minute hop to Durango." According to the pilot, as the airplane was nearing Durango, he began a descent and switched the fuel selector to "the fullest tank for landing. Soon after switching, the engine quit." The pilot attempted to restart the engine using the other tank, but the engine did not restart. A forced landing was performed to a "rugged sage brush field." During the landing sequence, the airplane "bounced twice" and impacted a barbed wire fence. The right stabilizer, fuselage, right wing, and the right keel beam in the area near the nose gear were damaged.

According to the FAA inspector, the individuals involved in the aircraft recovery process reported that when the "fuel lines were split to facilitate the wing removal, there was no fuel in either wing nor was there any evidence of fuel spillage or leakage on the ground at the scene." Examination of the fuel flow divider by the FAA inspector revealed there was "little fuel in the bowl of the divider." The fuel line at the inlet to the fuel pump was disconnected, and no fuel drained from the line. The fuel strainer was also pulled and the fuel in the bowl appeared "clean and free of water."

A representative of the airplane's manufacturer calculated that the trip, with 4 full-stops, required approximately 56 gallons of fuel to complete.