# NTSB LAX88LA046: Cessna T210M, N761MX, Colusa, CA, November 14, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1987, 20:03 local (Nov 14, 1987, 04:03 UTC)
- Place: Colusa, CA
- Coordinates: 39.270454, -122.050735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2705&lon=-122.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25907
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25907/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH AT THE DESTINATION BECAUSE OF FOG AND REDUCED VISIBILITY. THE PILOT ELECTED TO DIVERT TO COLUSA DUE TO THE WEATHER AND ON APPROACH TO CALUSA THE ENGINE QUIT. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD WHERE THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FUEL REMAINING IN THE TANKS. THE PILOT STATED EVEN THOUGH HIS FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY, BY HIS CALCULATIONS, SUFFICIENT FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761MX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761MX-2013-09-20), registration cancelled 2013-09-20, S/N 21062374, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062374
- Airframe hours: 2294
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Liberty Aviation Services
- Registered owner: Herbert R. Menold
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1987, 15 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: WLW, WILLOWS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: O08, Colusa County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 466 total, 50 in this make and model, 309 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19871113079109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871113079109A), Nov 13, 1987: Cessna T210M, Colusa, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to land at destination due to fog. Ran out of fuel near alternate. Force landed in muddy field. Nosed over.

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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