# NTSB LAX06LA178: Cessna T210L, N212DW, Chico, CA, May 18, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 2006, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Chico, CA - Coordinates: 39.803333, -121.86444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8033&lon=-121.8644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 25, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA178 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the amount of fuel onboard. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb. The pilot flew into the airport the previous evening. He ordered fuel from the FBO. He said that when he arrived at the airport for the return flight home, he did not preflight the fuel tanks to check their quantity. He did a run-up before takeoff, and noted that everything was normal. He departed runway 13L, and noted a lower than optimum fuel flow. About 250 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. He notified the tower, and turned back toward the airport. He set up a glide at 97 miles per hour (mph). When it became apparent that he could not make it to either runway, he chose to set the airplane down on a broken asphalt tarmac between the runways. He lowered the flaps, but did not lower the landing gear. The pilot said the descent was steep, and he flared too soon. The airplane stalled about 30 feet agl, and it hit the ground hard. The airplane skidded about 200 feet before coming to a stop. The pilot reported that the loss of power was due to fuel exhaustion. He also noted that the power off glide angle was uncomfortably steep; it was difficult to judge the proper point to flare. He recommended that these characteristics be emphasized in emergency training. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2006, about 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N212DW, collided with the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power in the takeoff initial climb at Chico, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and one passenger sustained serious injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight was en route to Watsonville, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a written report. He stated that he flew into Chico the previous evening. He ordered fuel. When he arrived at the airport for the return flight home, he did not preflight the fuel tanks to check their quantity. The pilot did a run-up before takeoff, and noted that everything was normal. He departed runway 13L, and noted a lower than optimum fuel flow. About 250 feet above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. He notified the tower, and turned back toward the airport. He set up a glide at 97 miles per hour (mph). When it became apparent that he could not make it to either runway, he chose to set the airplane down on a broken asphalt tarmac between the runways. He lowered the flaps, but did not lower the landing gear. His descent was steep, and he flared too soon. The airplane stalled about 30 feet agl, and the nose was dropping as it hit hard. It skidded about 200 feet before coming to a stop. Emergency personnel responded to the accident immediately, and removed the two occupants. The passenger experienced back pain, and a medical examination revealed that she had suffered three broken vertebrae. The pilot reported that the loss of power was due to fuel exhaustion. He also noted that the power off glide angle was uncomfortably steep; it was difficult to judge the proper point to flare. He recommended that these characteristics be emphasized in emergency training. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N212DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N212DW-2008-01-24), registration cancelled 2008-01-24, S/N 21059987, built 1974 (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: 21059987 - Airframe hours: 4272 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520G 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael J. Sampson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2005, 89 hours before - Departed: KCIC, Chico, CA - Destination: KWVI, Watsonville, CA - Airport: KCIC, Chico Municipal Airport, runway 13L, 6,724 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review August 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,737 total, 1,296 in this make and model, 1,653 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 14 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: CIC ## 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 20060518007719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060518007719A), May 18, 2006: Cessna T210L, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 05/18/06 aircraft N212DW departed Chico, CA airport runway 13L, and returned after the engine quit on takeoff. The aircraft landed gear up between… 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.