# NTSB SEA92LA215: Cessna T210N, N1911U, Helena, MT, September 27, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 20:39 local (Sep 27, 1992, 02:39 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.529602, -112.210311 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5296&lon=-112.2103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42910
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42910/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA215

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION, THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO REFUEL EN ROUTE AND THE INABILITY OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO AVOID THE FENCE DURING THE LANDING ROLL. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS AND THE FENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED BISMARK, ND, AND AFTER 3.7 HOURS OF FLIGHT LOST POWER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO HELENA, MT. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DISCLOSED LESS THAN A GALLON OF FUEL REMAINING. THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT TOOK THE AIRCRAFT OVER OR NEAR SEVERAL AIRPORTS WHEREBY FUEL COULD HAVE BEEN OBTAINED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING AND ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED AN AIRPORT PERIMETER FENCE. THE FORCED LANDING WAS CONDUCTED UNDER CONDITIONS OF DARKNESS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1911U (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21064747
- Airframe hours: 2569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R11B 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Thomas, Charles R.
- Registered owner: Thomas, Charles R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 23, 1992, 69 hours before
- Departed: BIS, BISMARK, ND
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HLN, Helena Regional, runway 27, 9,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,957 total, 7,555 in this make and model, 9,768 as pilot in command, 137 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLN, 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 19920926038949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920926038949A), Sep 26, 1992: Cessna T210N, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. Pilot reported out of fuel on approach to destination airport. On short final collided with perimeter fence.

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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