# NTSB MIA89GA082: Cessna T210L, N81859, Melbourne, FL, February 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1989, 17:51 local (22:51 UTC)
- Place: Melbourne, FL
- Coordinates: 28.079751, -80.600021 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0798&lon=-80.6000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32313
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89GA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32313/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89GA082

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE FUEL QUANTITY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FOLLOWED BY HIS FAILURE TO OPERATE THE ENGINE ON THE FULLEST FUEL TANK RESULTING IN A FUEL TANK BEING RUN DRY RESULTING IN ENGINE FAILURE WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH AT HIS DESTINATION.

## 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
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING FERRIED TO MELBOURNE BY A CONTRACTOR TO THE US MARSHALS SERVICE. BEFORE DEPARTURE INSPECTION AND ENGINE RUN-UP REVEALED A 500-600 RPM MAGNETO DROP; THE LEFT TANK WAS 3/4 FULL AND THE RIGHT TANK HAD APPROX 15 GALLONS OF FUEL, ACCORDING TO GAUGES. THE PLT HAD WORK DONE THAT REDUCED THE MAG DROP TO 200-250 RPM. THE PLT REPORTED THAT WHILE ON A 3-MILE FINAL TO RWY 4 AT MELBOURNE, THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SAID HE SWITCHED THE SELECTOR TO THE OTHER TANK. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND DURING A FORCED LANDING. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK POSITION. NO FUEL SYSTEM LEAKS WERE EVIDENT. FURTHER EXAMINATION REVEALED 3 OZ OF FUEL IN THE RT TANK; THE LEFT TANK CONTAINED 25 GALLONS BUT APPEARED TO BE 3/4 FULL. THE RT FUEL GAUGE WAS ACCURATE AND THE LEFT READ LOW WHEN TESTED. THE RT MAG DROP WAS 700 RPM DRG A TEST-RUN. THE RT MAG IMPULSE SPRING WAS BROKEN, ALLOWING INTERNAL TIMING TO VARY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81859](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81859-2013-09-10), registration cancelled 2013-09-10, S/N 21060301, built 1974 (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: 21060301
- Airframe hours: 1639
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H4A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Stambaugh'S Air Service
- Registered owner: James R. Peeler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 6, 1986
- Departed: FPR, FORT PIERCE, FL
- Destination: MLB, MELBOURNE, FL
- Airport: MLB, Melbourne Regional, runway 4, 3,002 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB, 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 19890208027559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890208027559A), Feb 8, 1989: Cessna T210L, Melbourne, FL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final approach. Crashed in trees. Right tank empty. Left fuel gauge zero fuel in tank. Mag wire off.

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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