# NTSB MIA94LA152: Cessna 210L, N76GH, Pahokee, FL, May 31, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1994, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Pahokee, FL
- Coordinates: 26.810882, -80.659202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8109&lon=-80.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37554
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37554/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA152

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER POSITIONING OF THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND WHICH CAUSED AN ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AT AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW FOR RESTART PROCEDURES.

## 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
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH WITH A SAFETY OBSERVER. HE STATED THE ENGINE FAILED AND HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT UNSUCCESSFULLY. HE THEN EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO A LAKE. THE AIRPLANE WAS RECOVERED AND THE RIGHT TANK HAD NO FUEL AND THE LEFT TANK HAD 18 GALLONS. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT POSITION. THE ENGINE WAS DRIED AND THE ENGINE RAN ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT TANK SELECTOR POSITIONS WITH FUEL PROVIDED TO THE LINES.

## Factual narrative

On May 31, 1994, about 1215 eastern daylight time, N76GH, a Cessna 210L registered to Mercy Flight Inc., crashed in Pahokee, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and an observer reported no injuries. The flight had originated about 1 hour earlier.

The pilot stated that the engine failed about 1,500 feet msl and his attempt to restart it was unsuccessful. He then ditched the airplane in Lake Okeechobee about 1/2 mile from the Pahokee Airport, Pahokee, Florida.

The airplane fuel system was examined after recovery and the right tank contained no fuel and was full of water, and the left tank contained about 18 gallons of fuel and the rest was water. The fuel selector was found on the left tank position. The airplane was taken to a local airport, water was drained from the engine and the magnetos and sparkplugs were air dried. A 5-gallon fuel can was mounted on the roof of the cabin and was connected to both fuel lines from the wing. The engine was started and ran on both the left and right fuel selector positions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N76GH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61532
- Airframe hours: 1868
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mercy Flight Inc.
- Registered owner: Mercy Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1994, 48 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,210 total, 70 in this make and model, 988 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 32 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 19940531017699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940531017699A), May 31, 1994: Cessna 210L, Pahokee, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power ditched in lake. Right fuel tank empty. Fuel in left tank.

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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