# NTSB LAX88LA076: Cessna 210K, N8221M, Chowchilla, CA, December 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1987, 00:05 local (08:05 UTC)
- Place: Chowchilla, CA
- Coordinates: 37.069664, -120.269424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0697&lon=-120.2694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE PLT HAD DIVERTED TO ANOTHER ARPT FOR FUEL. THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO ACTIVATE THE RWY LIGHTS AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE THAT WAS PERPENDICULAR TO THE RWY. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ACFT, AN INCORRECT FREQUENCY WAS NOTED ON THE RADIO. THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE CORRECT FREQUENCY WAS USED AND THE RWY LIGHTS DID ACTIVATE. THERE WAS NO FUEL NOTED IN THE FUEL TANKS OR FUEL LINES. THE PLT HAD STATED THAT HE HAD CONSUMED SOME ALCOHOL DURING DINNER, HOWEVER, A BLOOD TEST WAS CONDUCTED WHICH WAS REPORTED AS NEGATIVE. THE PLT HAD ALSO TAKEN THE ACFT WHICH THE OPERATOR REPORTED AS AN UNAUTHORIZED FLT. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT AND HIS FLT TIME WAS NOT REPORTED OR AVAILABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8221M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8221M-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 21059221 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210K
- Registry model: [Cessna 210K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210k) (registry code 2073446) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059221
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Khg Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Frederick Gifford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Destination: FAT, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: 206, Chowchilla

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots, gusting 3
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 32 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 19871224071859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871224071859A), Dec 24, 1987: Cessna 210K, Chowchilla, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel trying to land at airport for fuel. Failed to activate lights and crash landed off side of runway.

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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