# NTSB SEA95LA162: Cessna 210, N9492T, Cody, WY, July 25, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1995, 12:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Cody, WY
- Coordinates: 44.50949, -109.049316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.5095&lon=-109.0493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA162

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO REFUEL WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## 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 (cause)
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HIS FUEL CONSUMPTION WAS HIGHER THAN PLANNED BECAUSE OF LOW ALTITUDE SIGHT-SEEING WHILE EN ROUTE. DURING THE APPROACH TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT, BOTH FUEL GAUGES BEGAN INDICATING EMPTY, AND SOON THEREAFTER THE ENGINE QUIT. HE SWITCHED TANKS AND ATTEMPTED RESTARTING THE ENGINE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE CHECKED THE TANKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, AND FOUND THAT BOTH SIDES WERE NEARLY EMPTY.

## Factual narrative

On July 25, 1995, approximately 1220 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 210, N9492T, impacted the terrain during a forced landing attempt at Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody, Wyoming. The private pilot and his three passengers received minor injuries, and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Jeffco Airport, Denver, Colorado, about four hours earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The pilot had canceled his VFR flight plan while en route, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, was turned off at the scene.

According to the pilot, his fuel consumption was higher then planned because of the maneuvering that took place during sightseeing at lower altitudes while en route. While he was on approach to Yellowstone Airport, both fuel gauges began  indicating empty, and soon thereafter the engine quit. The pilot switched the selector to the tank that was not being used, but could not get the engine to restart. The pilot reported that he checked the tanks after the accident, and found that both sides were nearly empty.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9492T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9492T-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 57292, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21057292
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: 3 B'S, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BJC, DENVER, CO
- Destination: COD, WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: COD, Cody-Yellowstone Regional, runway 22, 8,300 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 242 total, 180 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## Other investigations on N9492T (3)

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.

- [NTSB MIA88LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA047), Nov 29, 1987: Cessna 210 (N9492T), Quincy, FL, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI66D0608](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0608), Feb 12, 1966: Cessna 210 (N9492T), Cleveland, OH, substantial damage
- [NTSB CHI66D0442](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66D0442), Sep 11, 1965: Cessna 210 (N9492T), Delavan, WI, substantial damage

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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