# NTSB LAX90LA030: Cessna 210, N46JW, North Hollywood, CA, November 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1989, 16:04 local (Nov 13, 1989, 00:04 UTC)
- Place: North Hollywood, CA
- Location: 34.1722° N, 118.3790° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of North Hollywood, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1722&lon=-118.3790&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA030
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA030

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION FROM AN INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF FUEL.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FALSE FUEL GAGE INDICATIONS, LACK OF A SUITABLE AREA FOR A FORCED LANDING, AND OBSTRUCTIONS (UTILITY POLE & VEHICLE(S) IN THE EMERGENCY LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole(marked) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT ESTD THERE WAS 16 GAL OF USABLE FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE DEPD LANCASTER FOR BURBANK, CA.  AS HE WAS APCHG BURBANK TO LAND, THE ENG LOST POWER.  UNABLE TO REACH THE ARPT, HE TRIED TO FIND A ROADWAY OR STREET THAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED WITH VEHICLES.  JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT HIT A UTILITY POLE, THEN DROPPED TO THE SURFACE & SLID INTO A VEHICLE.  LESS THAN 2 GAL OF FUEL WAS FOUND REMAINING IN THE ACFT AFTER THE ACDNT. THE PLT RPRTD NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WITH THE ACFT, BUT SUGGESTED THAT WITH BETTER FUEL GAGES, THE ACDNT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46JW-1992-10-16), registration cancelled 1992-10-16, S/N 57552 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57552
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Gaugenmaier
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: BUR, BURBANK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; flight hours: 148 total, 29 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891112048539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891112048539A), Nov 12, 1989: Cessna 210, North Hollywood, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route on short flight. Landed on a freeway, struck a light pole and a vehicle.

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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