# NTSB SEA03LA054: Cessna T210L, N701TM, Gig Harbor, WA, April 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2003, 13:57 local (21:57 UTC) - Place: Gig Harbor, WA - Coordinates: 47.267776, -122.598052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2678&lon=-122.5981&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA054 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56753/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA054 ## Probable cause A total loss of power for undetermined reasons during base turn. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The check flight pilot departed the Tacoma Narrows airport in the Cessna T210L on a maintenance test flight due to a previous power loss. Approximately 15 minutes into the check flight the engine quit and although the pilot was able to momentarily regain power the aircraft was ditched about one mile west of the departure airport. Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft's powerplant or its fuel system. Uncontaminated fuel was found in both the fuel strainer, fuel hoses and fuel flow divider. A post-accident test run of the aircraft's engine was completed and aside from a slightly rich mixture condition, the engine appeared to run satisfactorily. ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2003, at 1357 Pacific standard time, a Cessna T210L, N701TM, in the process of being re-registered, and being operated/flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during ditching approximately one mile west of the Tacoma Narrows airport, Gig Harbor, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was a maintenance test flight, was operated under 14 CFR 91, and originated from the Tacoma Narrows airport, approximately 1340. The pilot reported that he departed in the aircraft from Tacoma Narrows on a check flight due to a previous power loss event. He indicated that the aircraft was inbound back to the airport when he experienced an abrupt and total loss of power. He activated the fuel boost pump and power returned for approximately 10 seconds and then the engine quit again. He then switched fuel tanks, activated the boost pump and the engine started and ran approximately three seconds and then quit. He reported that the fuel pressure dropped to about 4-5 PSI during each power loss and returned to its normal reading each time the engine restarted. He reported that the aircraft had about one-third to one-quarter fuel in each wing tank. The pilot executed an intentional ditching along the shoreline about one mile west of the airport and in about three feet of water (refer to NTSB Form 6120.1). The aircraft was recovered and then the engine/fuel system was examined on April 4, 2003, under the oversight of an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Renton Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). Among the findings noted during this examination were: > No fuel in the main wing tanks (previously drained during recovery). > A mix of fuel/salt water was found in the left header (reservoir) tank. > Fuel was found in the right header (reservoir) tank. > Uncontaminated fuel in both the fuel strainer, fuel hoses and fuel flow divider. > A basic compression and continuity check was successfully accomplished. > The turbocharger was found to be free to rotate. > The turbocharger inlet hose internal spring was found separated allowing the hose to collapse and this condition could not be determined to pre-exist the ditching event. > After inserting approximately 10 gallons of fuel in both left and right tanks the main fuel line to the engine was decoupled at the firewall and no fuel was observed to gravity flow out when left or right tank was selected at the fuel selector. The fuel line was disconnected at the outflow side of the auxiliary fuel pump and fuel was observed to flow. The fuel line was then reconnected to the auxiliary pump and fuel was observed to flow freely at the decoupled firewall fitting end. > The auxiliary pump was exclaimed and no discrepancies were found. > The fuel venting system was examined and no discrepancies were found. The aircraft's engine was test run on April 8, 2003, under the oversight of the same FAA inspector. Aside from a slightly rich mixture condition, the engine appeared to run satisfactorily (refer to ATTACHMENTS ROI-I, AA-I, and DIAGRAM I). ## Aircraft - Registration: N701TM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210L - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21060885 - Airframe hours: 1582 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520H 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Registered owner: Olson, Ben A. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2003, 22 hours before - Departed: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Destination: TIW, Tacoma, WA - Airport: TIW, Tacoma Narrows ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 20, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 3,900 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,500 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.56 inHg - Observed at: TIW, 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 20030402004999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030402004999A), Apr 2, 2003: Cessna T210L, Gig Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 17, 2003, the owner of N701TM had scheduled maintenance performed on the aircraft by a maintenance facility located at tacoma narrows airport… 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.