# NTSB LAX83LA084: Cessna 210L, N210DK, Ocotillo Wells, CA, January 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1983, 04:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Ocotillo Wells, CA
- Coordinates: 32.71997, -115.880821 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7200&lon=-115.8808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23606
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23606/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA084

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A NIGHT SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON THE LEFT TANK AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE PILOT SWITCHED TANKS BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE DESERT IN A SKID WITH LEFT WING LOW. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION SHOWED NO FUEL IN LEFT TANK AND ABOUT 2 INCHES OF FUEL IN RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210DK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N210DK-2011-06-21), registration cancelled 2011-06-21, S/N 21059791, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059791
- Airframe hours: 2826
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Morizono
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1982, 31 hours before
- Departed: ESCONDIDO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,800 total, 200 in this make and model, 8,800 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 30 nm away

## 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 19830128001709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830128001709A), Jan 28, 1983: Cessna 210L, Ocotillo Wells, CA, Substantial damage. Ran fuel tank dry, unable to restart engine after switching tanks. Landed in desert at night in a left skid.

## Other investigations on N210DK (2)

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.

- [NTSB CHI82DA166](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82DA166), May 14, 1982: Cessna 210 (N210DK), Galesburg, IL, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI79FEE44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEE44), Apr 1, 1979: Cessna 210L (N210DK), Lansing, IL, substantial damage

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.

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