# NTSB LAX89LA185: Cessna 210T, N30678, Imperial, CA, May 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1989, 20:00 local (May 8, 1989, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Imperial, CA
- Coordinates: 32.859622, -115.650077 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8596&lon=-115.6501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA185

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INACCURATE FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS ALONG WITH THE DECISION TO DEPART WITH INADEQUATE FUEL TO INSURE LANDING AT HIS PROPOSED DESTINATION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION. THE ROUGH/UNEVEN TERRAIN ON WHICH THE LANDING WAS MADE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING TWO STOPS FOR FUEL AND FUEL BEING UNAVAILABLE AT BOTH AIRPORTS, THE PILOT DEPARTED FOR A THIRD AIRPORT 12 MILES NORTH. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO IMPERIAL AIRPORT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS EXHAUSTED OF FUEL. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30678](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30678-1990-12-21), registration cancelled 1990-12-21, S/N 21059955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210T
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059955
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H3A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel S. Cosgrove
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, May 4, 1989, 10 hours before
- Departed: CXL, CALEXICO, CA
- Destination: IPL, IMPERIAL, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ipl, Imperial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 356 total, 32 in this make and model, 310 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890507011069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890507011069A), May 7, 1989: Cessna T210L, Imperial, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel on approach to runway. Stalled trying to reach runway. Was unable to obtain fuel at last stop.

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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