# NTSB LAX87LA150: Cessna P210N, N6446W, Elk Grove, CA, March 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1987, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Elk Grove, CA
- Coordinates: 38.440464, -121.30091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4405&lon=-121.3009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25543
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA150
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25543/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA150

## 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 - exhaustion (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL FLIGHT TO CHECK REPAIRS TO THE AIRCRAFT CABIN PRESSURIZATION, THE AIRCRAFT HAD DESCENDED FROM 8500 FT MSL TO 2000 FT MSL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN CUTTING OUT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT IN A SOFT FIELD AND UPON TOUCHDOWN THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT APPROXIMATELY 24 OUNCES OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE FUEL TANKS WERE FOUND INTACT WITH NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6446W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6446W), registered now, S/N P21000782, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00782
- Airframe hours: 309
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520AF 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Patterson Aircraft
- Registered owner: Thill, John E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 11, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,968 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,671 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 76 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 9 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 19870318006339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870318006339A), Mar 18, 1987: Cessna P210N, Elk Grove, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed. The aircraft flipped over during landing in an open field. Fuel exhaustion.

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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