# NTSB LAX92LA062: Cessna 210M, N761VB, Palo Alto, CA, December 11, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 10, 1991, 18:08 local (Dec 11, 1991, 02:08 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.449131, -122.099548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4491&lon=-122.0995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27517
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27517/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA062

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE POWER LOSS DUE TO A PARTIAL BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WITH DEBRIS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,selector/valve - blocked(partial) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT WAS BEGINNING A POSITIONING FLIGHT AS THE FIRST LEG OF AN AIR TAXI FLIGHT. ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER DEPARTURE AND AT ABOUT 150 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE IN A MARSH AREA, ABOUT 3/4 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER RECOVERY, THE ENGINE WAS PLACED ON A TEST STAND AND WAS STARTED. THE ENGINE RAN AT IDLE AND 2100 RPM. LOW FUEL FLOW WAS NOTICED FROM THE FUEL STRAINER. DISASSEMBLY OF THE FUEL SELECTOR REVEALED SMALL PORTIONS OF RUBBER, PARTIALLY BLOCKING THE LEFT FUEL TANK POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N761VB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761VB-2008-09-08), registration cancelled 2008-09-08, S/N 21062543, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210M
- Registry model: [Cessna 210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210m) (registry code 2073450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 62543
- Airframe hours: 2663
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L-3A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Centurion Flight Service
- Registered owner: Saul Chaiken
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1991, 75 hours before
- Destination: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport, flight engineer, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,764 total, 289 in this make and model, 6,545 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAO, 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 19911210055349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911210055349A), Dec 10, 1991: Cessna 210M, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climbout. Landed in a marsh off end runway. Fuel selector fouled by o ring. Water in fuel tank

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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