# NTSB LAX98LA040: Aero Commander 200D, N2910T, San Carlos, CA, November 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 18, 1997, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: San Carlos, CA - Coordinates: 37.489257, -122.259262 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4893&lon=-122.2593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 10, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29999 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA040 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29999/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA040 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to verify that there was an adequate supply of fuel in the selected fuel tank prior to takeoff. ## 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 - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel supply - not verified, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis The aircraft's engine lost power on final approach and the aircraft collided with terrain short of the landing runway. The pilot stated that due to approaching inclement weather he abbreviated the preflight inspection of the aircraft. Specifically, he did not visually examine the fuel level in the tanks. The flight was conducted on the left tank, which the fuel gage indicated full at takeoff. During the before landing checklist the left gage still read 1/4 tank. On final approach, about 200 feet altitude, the engine stopped and there was insufficient time to switch tanks and restart the engine before impacting the ground short of the runway. The pilot reported that after the accident a visual check of the left tank showed it to be empty, and yet the fuel gage read 1/4. The pilot said that he knew that on previous occasions the fuel gage had been inaccurate and that he made note of it to the maintenance facility performing the just completed annual inspection. After the accident the left main tank contained 1 cup of fuel, the right main tank contained 1 gallon of fuel, the left auxiliary tank was nearly full, and the right auxiliary tank, which had leaked after the accident, contained 5 gallons of fuel. ## Factual narrative On November 18, 1997, at 1530 hours Pacific standard time, an Aero Commander 200D, N2910T, collided with terrain short of the runway 12 while landing at the San Carlos, California, airport. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight which departed from Marysville, California, at 1450. In his report to the Safety Board, the pilot stated that due to approaching inclement weather, he abbreviated the preflight inspection of the aircraft at the departure airport. Specifically, he did not visually examine the fuel level in the tanks. The flight was conducted on the left tank, which has a 20-gallon capacity, and indicated full at takeoff. During the before landing checklist the left gage still read 1/4 tank. On final approach, about 200 feet altitude, the engine lost power and there was insufficient time to switch tanks and restart the engine before impacting the ground short of the runway. The pilot reported that after the accident a visual check of the left tank showed it to be empty and yet the fuel gage read 1/4. In a telephone conversation with the Safety Board, the pilot said that the aircraft had been in Marysville for an annual inspection. He had flown the aircraft from San Carlos to Marysville and back using fuel from the left tank. The total flying time is 1:20, the tank holds 20 gallons, and the fuel consumption rate is about 15 gallons per hour. The pilot said that he knew that on previous occasions the fuel gage had been inaccurate and that he made note of this to the maintenance facility before the annual inspection. According to the FAA inspector's report of the accident, the Airplane Flight Manual recommends selecting the main tank with the most fuel in it for landing. After the accident the left main tank contained 1 cup of fuel, the right main tank contained 1 gallon of fuel, the left auxiliary tank was nearly full, and the right auxiliary tank, which had leaked after the accident, contained 5 gallons of fuel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2910T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2910T-2018-03-02), registration cancelled 2018-03-02, S/N 316, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aero Commander 200D - Registry model: [Aero Commander 200D](https://openairdocs.org/model/aero-commander-200d) (registry code 0140312) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 316 - Airframe hours: 2185 - Engines: Continental IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert E. Borrman - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA - Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 12, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,300 total, 295 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SQL, 1 nm away ## 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 19971118040369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971118040369A), Nov 18, 1997: Propjt 200D, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot ran left fuel tank dry, failing to switch to other tanks. (.4)the aircraft's engine lost power on final approach and the aircraft collided with terrain… ## Other investigations on N2910T (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 LAX70D0006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0006), Jun 7, 1969: Aero Comdr 200-D (N2910T), Scottsdale, AZ, substantial damage 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.