# NTSB LAX89LA240: Cessna T210, N761JA, Chandler, AZ, July 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1989, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320812, -111.819763 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3208&lon=-111.8198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26447
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26447/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA240

## Probable cause

INADEQUAT PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND THE IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, IE. IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, BY THE PIC.

## 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 - base leg/base to final
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A FERRY PERMIT DUE TO THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON A PREVIOUS FLIGHT WHEN THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR DID NOT EXTEND AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON ITS NOSE AND LEFT GEAR. AFTER TEMPORARY REPAIRS, 20 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE PUT IN THE LEFT TANK FOR A TOTAL OF 35 GALLONS FOR THE FERRY FLIGHT. THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FERRY FLIGHT WAS BEING MADE WITH THE GEAR DOWN AND WITHOUT ELECTRICAL POWER. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE CEASED TO PRODUCE POWER AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED HARD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761JA-1994-03-16), registration cancelled 1994-03-16, S/N 21062283 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 210-62283
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Desert Aircraft Sales
- Registered owner: Desert Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: P10, Municipal, runway 22, 4,395 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,230 total, 1,038 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890717023919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890717023919A), Jul 17, 1989: Cessna T210M, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel short of runway at destination. Prior damaged aircraft was flown on ferry permit.

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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