# NTSB MIA92LA190: Cessna 210L, N121PL, St. Augustine, FL, September 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1992, 21:18 local (Sep 22, 1992, 01:18 UTC)
- Place: St. Augustine, FL
- Coordinates: 30.009075, -81.410491 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0091&lon=-81.4105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33143/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA190

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO CONDUCT A PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE FUEL TANKS 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, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - exposed runway lip/edge, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 4,500 FEET AGL WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. THE PILOT SWITCHED TO THE OTHER FUEL TANK AND CHECKED BOTH FUEL GAUGES WHICH WERE INDICATING NEAR EMPTY. THE PILOT TURNED DIRECT TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND QUIT. THE PILOT CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING TO THE TREES. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N121PL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121PL-1993-12-07), registration cancelled 1993-12-07, S/N 21060179 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060179
- Airframe hours: 3523
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L4B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Cherokee Leasing Inc.
- Registered owner: Cherokee Leasing Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 10, 1992, 30 hours before
- Departed: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Destination: CRG, JACKSONVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,089 total, 435 in this make and model, 1,905 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 87 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920922037919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920922037919A), Sep 22, 1992: Cessna 210L, St Augustine, FL, Destroyed. Lost power en route. Force landed in trees. Pilot reported fuel tanks showed empty prior to power loss.

## Other investigations on N121PL (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 MIA87LA165](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA165), May 28, 1987: Cessna 210L (N121PL), Tallahassee, FL, 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.

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