# NTSB LAX95LA342: Cessna P210N, N6500W, Phoenix, AZ, September 28, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 28, 1995, 08:34 local (15:34 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.429203, -112.010902 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4292&lon=-112.0109&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29220 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA342 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29220/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA342 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause) - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6500W-2022-04-08), registration cancelled 2022-04-08, S/N P21000788, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000788 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950928032639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950928032639A), Sep 28, 1995: Cessna P210N, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot reported to ATC that he ran out of fuel near airport. Nosed over on forced landing. Fuel tanks found empty. ## Other investigations on N6500W (1) 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. - [NTSB WPR18FA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA245), Aug 30, 2018: Cessna P210 (N6500W), Prescott, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's misjudgment of distance and altitude from the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain an approach path that provided clearance from the terrain due to a visual illusion in dark… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.