- Date
- September 28, 1995, 08:34 local (15:34 UTC)
- Place
- Phoenix, AZ
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N6500WCessna P210N
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report March 21, 1996
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950928032639A
- Case key
- 29220
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning and improper fuel consumption calculations. The soft terrain was a factor in this accident.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The engine sustained a total loss of power about 1.5 miles north-northeast of the airport. The pilot landed in an open field, but nosed over during the landing roll. The pilot reported that the airplane ran out of gas.
Factual narrative
On September 28, 1995, at 0834 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna P210N, N6500W, nosed over onto its back while executing an emergency landing in an open area about 1 1/2 miles north-northeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The emergency landing was precipitated by a total loss of engine power. The airplane, registered to and operated by Sun State Builders, Tempe, Arizona, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Prescott Airport at 0800 hours.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Western-Pacific Region quality assurance personnel reported that the pilot transmitted to the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport local controller at 0833 hours: "I ran out of fuel." FAA inspectors from the Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office, Scottsdale, Arizona, reported that there was no evidence of any fuel spillage or any fuel remaining in the airplane wing tanks.
In the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated, in part, ". . . ran out of fuel short of Phoenix, Sky Harbor. . . ."
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6500W
- Reported as
- Cessna P210N
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- P21000788
- Engine
- Continental TSIO-520-AF, 300 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Sun State Builders
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- PRC · Prescott, AZ
- Destination
- PHX
- Airport
- PHX · Phoenix Sky Harbor
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 47
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 1,500 total · 1,400 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 84 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.
Other investigations on N6500W · 1
Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.