# NTSB NYC93LA041: Cessna T210, N210PQ, Londonderry, NH, December 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1992, 08:37 local (13:37 UTC)
- Place: Londonderry, NH
- Location: 42.8534° N, 71.3624° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Londonderry, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8534&lon=-71.3624&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA041

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT DECISION WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED ON AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT WITH WHAT HE REPORTED AS AN ESTIMATED 26 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD, OR 1.6 HOURS OF FLYING TIME.  THE DESTINATION AIRPORT WAS AN ESTIMATED 1 HOUR AND 35 MINUTES FLYING TIME AWAY.  APPROXIMATELY 14 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, AT 11,000 FEET, THE PILOT REQUESTED TO LAND AT A CLOSER AIRPORT FOR FUEL.  APPROXIMATELY TWO AND ONE HALF MILES FROM THE ALTERNATE AIRPORT THE ENGINE FAILED.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GEAR DOWN LANDING TO A SNOW COVERED FIELD.  ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.  ACCORDING TO COMPUTATIONS MADE WITH DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PILOT, WHICH INCLUDED HIS ANTICIPATORY FUEL LOG, THE PILOT DEPARTED ON THE FLIGHT WITH AN ESTIMATED 13.5 GALLONS OF FUEL, WHICH ACCORDING TO THE PILOTS ESTIMATE OF 17 GALLONS PER HOUR FUEL BURN, GAVE HIM APPROXIMATELY 48 MINUTES OF FUEL IN THE TANKS AT TAKE-OFF. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 50 MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N210PQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N210PQ-1993-05-10), registration cancelled 1993-05-10, S/N 21064553 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 210G4553
- Airframe hours: 1231
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 305 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: P-Q Controls, Inc.
- Registered owner: P-Q Controls, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 31, 1992, 72 hours before
- Departed: 4B8, PLAINVILLE, CT
- Destination: MHT, MANCHESTER, NH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 443 total, 373 in this make and model, 383 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHT, 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 19921213049859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921213049859A), Dec 13, 1992: Cessna T210N, Manchester, NH, Substantial damage. Lost power diverting for fuel stop. Landed in deep snow. Had departed with less than one hour of fuel. Ran out.

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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