# NTSB MKC84LA050: Cessna 210L, N732DZ, Des Moines, IA, December 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1983, 00:23 local (06:23 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Coordinates: 41.63029, -93.740402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6303&lon=-93.7404&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC84LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA050

## 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
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPARTED TORONTO, CANADA AT 1927 CST. ABOUT 5 HRS & 1 MIN LATER, THE ENG LOST POWER WHEN THE PLT WAS ON FINAL APCH FOR LANDING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE & A LIGHT POLE WHEN THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A SNOW-COVERED PARKING LOT. DURING AN EXAM OF THE FUEL SYS, AN FAA INSPECTOR FOUND APRX 2 OUNCES OF FUEL IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK, 1 OUNCE IN THE RIGHT TANK & 3 OUNCES IN THE FUEL STRAINER. HE FOUND NO BROKEN FUEL LINES & NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SYPHONING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732DZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N732DZ), registered now, S/N 21061446, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 210-61446
- Airframe hours: 1496
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James M. Senftner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1983, 136 hours before
- Departed: ONT, TORONTO,CANADA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: DSM, Des Moines Muni, runway 23, 6,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 844 total, 620 in this make and model, 787 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 18 °F, dew point 3 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 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 19831231065019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831231065019A), Dec 31, 1983: Cessna 210L, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel approaching airport. Crash landed in a parking lot. Airborne 5 hrs en route. Fuel range 5 plus 30 min.

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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