LAX99LA289

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna P210N · North Las Vegas, NV · August 29, 1999

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
August 29, 1999, 09:22 local (16:22 UTC)
Place
North Las Vegas, NV
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N40RPCessna P210N
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report August 14, 2001
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19990829031769A
Case key
47236

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot's improper procedure in that he failed to follow the flight manual, resulting in a loss of engine power and subsequent collision with the ground.

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.

Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanicalApproach - vfr pattern - base turn
Procedures/directives - improperPilot in commandCause
Flight manuals - not followedPilot in commandCause
Forced landingDescent - emergency
Terrain condition - none suitable
In flight collision with terrain/waterLanding - flare/touchdown

Analysis

The pilot intended to practice a couple of landings, do a dam tour, and then return to the airport. He said he had about 22 gallons of fuel in each tank. The first landing circuit was uneventful. He was then cleared for an immediate takeoff for the second circuit. The second climb was normal. On downwind prior to turning base the engine began to run rough and as he throttled back the engine quit. The pilot stated to the FAA inspector that he routinely turned the auxiliary fuel pump on for takeoff and secured the pump upon reaching pattern altitude. He stated that he thought that he had turned the pump off after reaching pattern altitude but he was not absolutely sure. According to the airplane flight manual the fuel pump is to be off for takeoff. Prior to a successful engine test run the spark plugs were removed and found to be fuel sooted.

Factual narrative

On August 29, 1999, at 0922 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N40RP, was substantially damaged during an off-airport landing at North Las Vegas, Nevada. The pilot received minor injuries. The personal flight was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings, and stated that as he was turning right base leg for runway 07 the engine became rough and quit. He declared an emergency and headed towards the runway. The airplane collided with a fence and power line in a residential area. The pilot stated that he had 45 gallons of fuel onboard, about 22 gallons each side. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at North Las Vegas at 0910 as a local area flight.

The pilot intended to perform a couple of landings and then perhaps fly east towards Boulder Dam, and then back to the airport. The first takeoff and landing was uneventful. He taxied back and was cleared for an immediate takeoff. The airplane climbed normally, reaching 3,000 feet. During the downwind, the engine began to run rough as he throttled back prior to turning base leg and died within a few seconds just as he turned base and deployed full flaps.

The pilot stated to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he routinely used the auxiliary fuel pump for takeoff and would secure it after reaching pattern altitude. He stated that he thought he had turned the pump off but he was not absolutely sure. According to the airplane flight manual, the pump is not to be used for takeoff.

On September 23, 1999, the airplane was moved to an FAA Approved Repair Station at the accident location airport. Prior to a successful engine test run the spark plugs were removed and found to be fuel sooted.

Aircraft

Registration
N40RP
Reported as
Cessna P210N
Category
Airplane
Serial number
P21000041
Airframe hours
2,200
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-P5, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Mark S. Doppe
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · November 17, 1998 · 128 hours before
Departed
VGT · NV

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
43
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
732 total · 213 in this make and model · 641 as pilot in command · 59 in the last 90 days · 20 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
90° at 10 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
90 °F, dew point 59 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg
Observed at
VGT, 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.