# NTSB LAX96LA323: Cessna T210L, N2059S, Globe, AZ, August 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 1996, 13:55 local (20:55 UTC) - Place: Globe, AZ - Coordinates: 33.619056, -110.699974 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6191&lon=-110.7000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 5, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29550 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29550/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA323 ## Probable cause fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel tank selection. ## 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 - starvation (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not selected, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis On final approach, the pilot experienced a total loss of engine power and crashed into rough terrain adjacent to the airport. The airplane's fuel selector was found positioned to the right fuel tank. No fuel was observed in the right tank, and about 22.5 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank. The engine was successfully test run. No evidence of preimpact malfunctions was observed. Maintenance records indicated that the airplane's last annual inspection was performed over 2 years earlier, and the pilot's last biennial flight review was accomplished over 3.5 years earlier. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 1996, about 1355 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna T210L, N2059S, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power on final approach to the San Carlos Apache Airport in Globe, Arizona. The airplane collided with rough terrain adjacent to the airport and was substantially damaged. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Globe at 1215. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and examined. The fuel selector was found positioned to the right fuel tank. No fuel was observed in the right tank, and about 22.5 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank. According to the pilot's self described partner in life, the pilot's injuries precluded him from completing the required accident report. The partner completed the form on behalf of the pilot. The partner indicated that the pilot's last biennial flight review was accomplished on February 10, 1993. An examination of the airplane's maintenance records indicated that the airplane last received an annual inspection on June 9, 1994. The partner also reported that during the 90-day period which preceded the crash, the pilot had flown the airplane for about 6 hours. The engine was shipped to Teledyne Continental Motors' manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, where it was examined and test run under the supervision of an FAA inspector. No evidence of preimpact malfunctions was observed. The engine was successfully operated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2059S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2059S-2006-07-28), registration cancelled 2006-07-28, S/N 21061026, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210L - Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21061026 - Airframe hours: 3360 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-H-4A 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wally Bagdasarian - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1994, 6 hours before - Departed: P13 - Airport: P13, Globe, runway 27, 5,804 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 715 total, 165 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 5 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F ## 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 19960831025549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960831025549A), Aug 31, 1996: Cessna T210L, Glove, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crash landed rough desert. Fuel selector on empty tank. Fuel in other. Out of annual. 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.