# NTSB WPR09CA262: Cessna 210, N210AK, Seattle, WA, May 25, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 25, 2009, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Seattle, WA - Coordinates: 47.565834, -122.278053 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5658&lon=-122.2781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73900 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA262 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73900/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73900 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA262 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to activate the fuel boost pump when attempting an engine restart. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use a checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel pumps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 71 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022822/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the descent for landing, the airplane's engine lost all power so the pilot switched to the other fuel tank, which contained 15 gallons, and then attempted a restart. When the restart was unsuccessful, the pilot executed a forced landing in a city park. During the landing flare, the airplane's right wing impacted a tall sign post, but the touchdown and roll out were successful. A Federal Avaiation Administration inspector examined the airplane on scene and found that the right tank was empty and the left tank contained 15 gallons. The pilot told the inspector that he failed to use a checklist during the restart attempt and, as a result, forgot to activate the required fuel boost pump after switching tanks. After the airplane was recovered and fuel was placed in the left tank, the engine was successfully run with the fuel selector on the left tank. ## Factual narrative During the descent for landing, the airplane's engine lost all power so the pilot switched to the other fuel tank, which contained 15 gallons, and then attempted a restart. When the restart was unsuccessful, the pilot executed a forced landing in a city park. During the landing flare, the airplane's right wing impacted a tall sign post, but the touchdown and roll out were successful. A Federal Avaiation Administration inspector examined the airplane on scene and found that the right tank was empty and the left tank contained 15 gallons. The pilot told the inspector that he failed to use a checklist during the restart attempt and, as a result, forgot to activate the required fuel boost pump after switching tanks. After the airplane was recovered and fuel was placed in the left tank, the engine was successfully run with the fuel selector on the left tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N210AK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N210AK), registered now, S/N 21061627 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210 - Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21061627 - Airframe hours: 5084 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-R9 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Nicholson Mfg Co - Registered owner: Nicholson Mfg Co - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2009 - Departed: KOMK, Omak, WA - Destination: Seattle, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 30; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 22, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 2,250 total, 81 in this make and model, 1,935 as pilot in command, 177 in the last 90 days, 55 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 7, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 1,031 total, 808 in this make and model, 906 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F ## 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 20090525008539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090525008539A), May 25, 2009: Cessna 210, Seattle, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 25, 2009 at approximately 4:15 pm., N201AK, a Cessna 210T, s/n 21061627, piloted by [privacy data omitted] and [privacy data omitted], inbound to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 10, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73900. 889 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 847 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314448&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF 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.