# NTSB LAX87FA234: Cessna T210N, N6461N, Huntington Bch, CA, June 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1987, 21:25 local (Jun 15, 1987, 04:25 UTC)
- Place: Huntington Bch, CA
- Coordinates: 33.71006, -118.039817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7101&lon=-118.0398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA234
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA234

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT INFORMED AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER THAT HE WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AND TURNING TO AN AIRPORT. DURING THE DESCENT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6461N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6461N-1989-11-20), registration cancelled 1989-11-20, S/N 21063035 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063035
- Airframe hours: 2118
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSI0-520-R 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southwest Skyways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Torrance Partnership 2
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 24, 1987, 24 hours before
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Airport: L16, Meadowlark, runway 19, 1,656 × 36 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 294 total, 24 in this make and model, 238 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA, 8 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 19870614020099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870614020099A), Jun 14, 1987: Cessna T210N, Huntington Beac, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ran out of fuel at night en route. Struck trees and crashed on forced landing.

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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