# NTSB NYC91LA084: Cessna 210, East Swanzey, NH, March 7, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 7, 1991, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: East Swanzey, NH
- Location: 42.8515° N, 72.2584° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of East Swanzey, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8515&lon=-72.2584&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36886
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36886/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA084

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THIS AIRPLANE AND HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT, WHICH RESULTED IN MISCALCULATIONS OF FUEL CONSUMPTION AND SUBSEQUENT FUEL EXHAUSTION. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE LEAKING OF FUEL CAPS, THE INACCURATE FUEL QUANTITY AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPEREINCE.

## 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
  - fuel system,cap - leak (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,fuel quantity float/sensor - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - exhaustion
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

THE PILOT PURCHASED THE AIRPLANE AND ELECTED TO MAKE A 600 MILE TRIP WITHOUT TESTING THE FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THIS AIRPLANE. HE DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANKS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AS HE WAS APPROACHING HIS DESTINATION.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DIRT BANK.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE FAA REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR FLIGHT TIME IN N747IE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N747IE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57171
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry H. Cutler
- Registered owner: Henry H. Cutler
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: I68, WARREN, OH
- Destination: FIT, FITCHBURG, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 159 total, 126 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken

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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