# NTSB LAX97LA001: Cessna 210A, N9403X, Truckee, CA, October 11, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1996, 17:21 local (Oct 11, 1996, 00:21 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA001

## Probable cause

a total loss of engine power for undetermined nonmechanical reasons.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

The pilot departed for a personal flight with 25 gallons of fuel in the tanks.  After cruising for about 36 minutes at 9,500 feet mean sea level all engine power was lost.  The pilot reported that he was not able to restore engine power. He declared an emergency and initiated a forced landing on a road.  On short final approach, the airplane collided with wires and crashed.  Examination of the airplane and engine assembly disclosed no reason for the loss of engine power. An external fuel tank was connected to the airplane and the engine was successfully test run.

## Factual narrative

On October 10, 1996, at 1721 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 210A, N9403X, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power at 9,500 feet mean sea level.  At the time, the pilot was cruising in the vicinity of the Squaw Valley VOR (navigational aid), near Truckee, California.  The pilot declared an emergency and initiated a forced landing on a road.  On short final approach, the airplane collided with wires and crashed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The private pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The personal flight originated from Cameron Park, California, at 1645.

The pilot indicated that when he took off the airplane had 25 gallons of fuel in its tanks.  He reported that during the flight the "engine suddenly quit," and he was unable to restart it.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator examined the airplane and engine assembly and reported finding no reason for the loss of engine power.  An external fuel tank was connected to the airplane, and the engine was successfully test run.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9403X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9403X-1997-06-23), registration cancelled 1997-06-23, S/N 21057703 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 210A
- Registry model: [Cessna 210A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210a) (registry code 2073408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21057703
- Airframe hours: 2378
- Engines: Continental IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian J. Kuhn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1996, 50 hours before
- Departed: O61, CAMERON PARK, CA
- Destination: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 648 total, 582 in this make and model, 648 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19961010031529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961010031529A), Oct 10, 1996: Cessna 210A, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power at cruise. Hit wires landing on road. Cause power loss undetermined.

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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