- Date
- July 16, 2006, 20:10 local (Jul 17, 2006, 00:10 UTC)
- Place
- Clayton, NY
- Injuries
- 3 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N210DTCessna 210G
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report November 29, 2006
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- Albany
- FAA report
- 20060716031199A
- Case key
- 64144
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's improper fuel tank selection, which resulted in fuel starvation, and subsequent loss of engine power.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
While in cruise flight, a Cessna 210G experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane's right wing and right main landing gear struck a fence, the airplane skidded laterally across the field, and the left main landing gear and nose gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the engine lost power without warning, and the fuel quantity indicators showed "better than 1/2 tank on both gauges." Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was set to the left wing fuel tank position, and the left wing fuel tank contained no fuel. In addition, the right wing fuel tank was approximately 2/3 full. No deficiencies or anomalies were noted with the fuel system, the fuel quantity indicators, or the engine.
Factual narrative
While in cruise flight, a Cessna 210G experienced a total loss of engine power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane's right wing and right main landing gear struck a fence, the airplane skidded laterally across the field, and the left main landing gear and nose gear collapsed. The pilot stated that the engine lost power without warning, and the fuel quantity indicators showed "better than 1/2 tank on both gauges." Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel selector was set to the left wing fuel tank position, and the left wing fuel tank contained no fuel. In addition, the right wing fuel tank was approximately 2/3 full. No deficiencies or anomalies were noted with the fuel system, the fuel quantity indicators, or the engine.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N210DT
- Reported as
- Cessna 210G
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 21058884
- Airframe hours
- 3,878
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-A, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · November 1, 2005
- Departed
- NY01 · Alexandria Bay, NY
- Destination
- NY01
- Airport
- NY01 · Maxson Airfield
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 70
- Injuries
- Minor
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- April 1, 2006
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 885 total · 94 in this make and model · 885 as pilot in command
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Wind
- 220° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.90 inHg
- Observed at
- KART, 15 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.