# NTSB NYC04LA016: Cessna 210N, N5452V, Swanton, OH, October 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 26, 2003, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Swanton, OH - Coordinates: 41.588054, -83.761665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5881&lon=-83.7617&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FA FSDO-25 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58235 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA016 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58235/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA016 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation, and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - soft ## Analysis The airplane was on approach to land after a flight of about 4.5 hours, when it experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot was not able to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the nose gear sheared off, and the airplane flipped over. Examination of the airplane, which included the ignition and fuel systems, did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. It was noted that the right fuel tank was compromised and an undetermined amount of fuel was observed leaking from the fuel tank. The left fuel tank was intact and empty. There was no evidence of a fuel spill in the area around the left fuel tank. The pilot reported that he conducted the flight alternating between the right and left fuel tanks, and the left fuel tank was selected at the time the engine lost power. ## Factual narrative On October 26, 2003, about 1520 eastern standard time, a Cessna 210N, N5452V, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Swanton, Ohio, while on approach to the Toledo Express Airport (TOL), Toledo, Ohio. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed for the flight that departed the Norwood Memorial Airport (OWD), Norwood, Massachusetts. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was cleared for a visual approach to runway 25, and he began a decent from 3,000 feet. As the pilot lowered the landing gear, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power. The pilot switched the fuel selector position from the left tank to the right tank, and activated the auxiliary fuel pump. The pilot was not able to restart the engine and performed a forced landing to a field about 2 miles east of TOL. During the landing, the nose gear sheared off, and the airplane flipped over. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Rotation of both magnetos produced spark on all twelve spark plug electrodes. The auxiliary fuel pump was activated and a "short burst of fuel" was observed in the inlet hose to the fuel distributor. The right fuel tank was compromised and an undetermined amount of fuel was observed leaking from the fuel tank. The left fuel tank was intact and empty. There was no evidence of a fuel spill in the area around the left fuel tank. According to an FAA air traffic control summary, the pilot departed OWD about 1040, and was cleared for the visual approach to runway 25, at 1516. The pilot reported he topped off the airplane's fuel tanks with 38.3 gallons of aviation gasoline prior to takeoff. The pilot further stated he conducted the flight alternating between the right and left fuel tanks. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5452V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5452V-2004-03-31), registration cancelled 2004-03-31, S/N 21064316, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210N - Registry model: [Cessna 210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210n) (registry code 2073453) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21064316 - Airframe hours: 2347 - Engines: Continental IO-550-L1B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard L. Munk - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 2002, 59 hours before - Departed: OWD, NORWOOD, MA - Destination: TOL, Toledo, OH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: TOL, Toledo Express, runway 25, 10,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 7, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 1,364 total, 733 in this make and model, 1,320 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: TOL, 2 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 20031026029229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031026029229A), Oct 26, 2003: Cessna 210N, Swanton, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) N5452V, CE-210N, was cleared for a visual approach to runway 25 at toledo express (tol). The aircraft experienced a total loss of power after the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.