# NTSB LAX02LA151: Cessna T210N, N888GB, Flagstaff, AZ, May 6, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 6, 2002, 15:25 local (22:25 UTC) - Place: Flagstaff, AZ - Coordinates: 35.138332, -111.671112 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1383&lon=-111.6711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54644 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA151 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54644/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54644 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA151 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane collided with trees following a loss of engine power while on approach to the airport. While the airplane was on final approach, the pilot noted that the airplane was low, and manipulated the throttle control to the full forward position, in an effort to increase power. The engine did not respond to the throttle input, and the propeller stopped. About 3,000 feet from the runway, the airplane impacted trees. The pilot had the left fuel tank selected and 18 gallons was found in the tank after the accident. Post accident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal a reason for the power loss. After replacing the propeller, the engine was started and it operated normally, exhibiting normal pressures and acceleration. ## Factual narrative On May 6, 2002, about 1525 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210N, N888GB, collided with trees following a loss of engine power while on final approach to the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona. Forest Aire L.L.C., was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Scottsdale, Arizona, about 1440, with a planned destination of Flagstaff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that, while executing a left traffic pattern for runway 21, he configured the airplane with wing flaps fully extended and the landing gear in the down and locked position. As he made a left turn from base leg onto final approach, about 300 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot noted that the airplane was getting low. He manipulated the throttle control to the full forward position, in an effort to obtain maximum power. The engine did not respond to the throttle input, and the propeller slowed down. In a matter of seconds the engine became quiet and the propeller stopped. About 3,000 feet from the runway, the airplane impacted trees. The pilot further noted that while on the approach, the left fuel tank was selected. During impact, the left fuel tank remained intact, while the right fuel tank was destroyed. The left tank had about 18 gallons of fuel remaining, and he estimated that the right tank had about the same amount, prior to the impact. Under the auspice of the Federal Aviation Administration, a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) engine representative examined the airplane and engine. In a written statement, the TCM representative reported that after replacing the propeller and adding oil, the engine started and operated normally, exhibiting normal pressures and acceleration. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Flagstaff at 1545 reported that the temperature was 21 degrees Celsius, and the dew point was negative 9 degrees Celsius. The reporting station is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet mean sea level. According to the Cessna Pilot's Association Tech Note 011, in an effort to prevent vapor lock in the 1980 and later models years of the 210/T210-P210, Cessna modified the fuel system by increasing the rear doorpost fuel feed line in diameter from 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch. The objective was for the fuel vapor to return to the main fuel tank from the reservoir tank with less resistance via the forward doorpost fuel line. Due to this modification, Cessna Aircraft deemed those models of airplanes not applicable to Service Bulletin SE81-33, which called out for a modification of the fuel system where the forward fuel feed line is tied into the rear fuel feed line prior to the reservoir tank. The complete Tech Note is appended to this report in the public docket. During a telephone conversation, the president of the Cessna Pilot's Association stated that several years back he tested the vapor lock issues in the 210 aircraft by replacing the fuel feed lines with clear fuel feed lines to observe vapor formation and its corresponding behavior. He recalled that although the rear doorpost fuel feed line was larger in diameter, the vapor continued to impede the line and disrupt fuel flow. He further stated that in effort to recover from vapor lock a pilot merely has to switch the fuel tank and activate the fuel boost pump, which will restart the engine in several seconds. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N888GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N888GB-2003-11-08), registration cancelled 2003-11-08, S/N 21064286, 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: 21064286 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Forest Aire LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SDL, Scottsdale, AZ - Destination: FLG, Flagstaff, AZ - Airport: FLG, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, runway 21, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,166 total, 901 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: FLG ## 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 20020506008249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020506008249A), May 6, 2002: Cessna T210N, Flagstaff, AZ, No damage. (.19) On may 6, 2002, at 1525 mountain standard time, a Cessna T210N, N888GB, collided with trees and terrain following a loss of engine power while on… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 16, 2005, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54644. 1.6 MB in all. - Drawings: Aircraft Fuel System (item 1, .PDF, 232 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40219638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Drawings%3A%20Aircraft%20Fuel%20System-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40227717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation- Cessna (item 3, .PDF, 210 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438051&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-%20Cessna-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Cessna Pilot Association (item 4, .PDF, 32 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40219640&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Cessna%20Pilot%20Association-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 5, .PDF, 38 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40219641&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 6, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40219642&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Continental Motors (item 7, .PDF, 34 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40438052&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Continental%20Motors-Redacted.PDF - Cessna Pilots Association Tech. Note (item 8, .PDF, 246 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40219644&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Cessna%20Pilots%20Association%20Tech.%20Note-Master.PDF - Service Bulletin SE81-33A (item 9, .PDF, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40219645&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Service%20Bulletin%20SE81-33A-Master.PDF 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.