# NTSB LAX91LA381: Cessna C-210, N2580S, Calexico, CA, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 11:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.690242, -115.509819 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6902&lon=-115.5098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA381
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA381

## Probable cause

A NON-MECHANICAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION FROM THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SUPPLY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent
  - fuel system - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING A DESCENT SHORTLY AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS FROM THE RIGHT TANK TO THE LEFT TANK.  THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER INTO A RIVER.  EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL TANKS REVEALED NO FUEL WAS PRESENT IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK AND ABOUT 20 GALLONS OF FUEL AND WATER WERE NOTICED IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2580S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2580S), registered now, S/N 21061333, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-210
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061333
- Airframe hours: 2518
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520H 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert S. Sheldon
- Registered owner: Robert M. Thacher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 11, 1991, 18 hours before
- Departed: L22, YUCCA VALLEY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,106 total, 114 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 1 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 19910902037479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037479A), Sep 2, 1991: Cessna T210L, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach. Landed short and nosed over into a river. Had exhausted right fuel tank. No start on left.

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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