# NTSB LAX92LA068: Cessna 210K, N1999R, Watsonville, CA, December 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1991, 17:50 local (Dec 22, 1991, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950458, -121.72042 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9505&lon=-121.7204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA068

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE FUEL CALCULATION AND FAILURE TO SERVICE THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANKS WITH ADEQUATE QUANTITIES OF FUEL TO COMPETE THE FIGHTS.  THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RESULTING FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION WAS A FACTOR IN 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft service - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER SERVICING THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL TANKS WITH A REDUCED FUEL LOAD THE PILOT TOOK OFF FOR FIVE FLIGHTS. AS THE AIRPLANE BEGAN ITS FOURTH LANDING THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER FOUR HOURS OF FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH SOME TRANSMISSION LINES AND LANDED OFF THE AIRPORT.  THE PILOT FAILED TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM THE FUEL CALCULATIONS AND SERVICE THE AIRPLANE BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1999R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1999R-1994-08-11), registration cancelled 1994-08-11, S/N 21059270 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210K
- Registry model: [Cessna 210K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210k) (registry code 2073446) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059270
- Airframe hours: 3370
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-570-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mercer Aviation, Inc
- Registered owner: Baker, Joseph & Edna
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 1991, 25 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville Municipal, runway 19, 4,501 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,462 total, 63 in this make and model, 2,275 as pilot in command, 122 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 10 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 19911221057049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911221057049A), Dec 21, 1991: Cessna 210K, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final for landing struck powerline and vehicles short of runway. Fuel tanks found empty.

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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