# NTSB WPR12CA004: Cessna T310R, N23BT, Hilo, HI, October 8, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2011, 17:23 local (Oct 8, 2011, 02:23 UTC) - Place: Hilo, HI - Coordinates: 19.790277, -154.920272 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=19.7903&lon=-154.9203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA004 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82023/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82023 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA004 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel exhaustion as a result of the pilot’s improper fuel planning. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2074246), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=2074246), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna T310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2074246), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=2074246), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost power about 12 miles from the airport due to fuel exhaustion, and he ditched the airplane in the Pacific Ocean. The pilot had completed a preflight inspection for the transpacific flight and departed with approximately 393 gallons of fuel, which he calculated to be about 14 hours of fuel endurance. He reported that about 9 hours after takeoff he determined that, due to a change in the wind velocity, he would not reach his destination. He attempted to extend his range by reducing the airplane’s fuel consumption, but was unable to reach the airport. The pilot was rescued, and the airplane sank shortly thereafter. The total duration of the flight was about 13 hours. ## Factual narrative During a trans-Pacific ferry flight from California to Hawaii the pilot reported that he lost engine power as a result of fuel exhaustion and ditched in the Pacific Ocean approximately 7 nm Northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. The pilot departed California with approximately 393 gallons of fuel, which he calculated to be approximately 14 hours of fuel endurance. The pilot reported that about 9 hours after takeoff he determined that due to a change in the wind velocity he would not reach his destination. The pilot attempted to extend his range by reducing his fuel consumption, but was unable to make his intended destination. After ditching the pilot exited the airplane and was rescued by the US Coast Guard. The airplane sank shortly after the pilot was rescued. The total duration of the flight was approximately 13 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23BT-2012-03-21), registration cancelled 2012-03-21, S/N 310R1303, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T310R - Registry model: [Cessna T310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t310r) (registry code 2074246) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310R1303 - Airframe hours: 3894 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Operator: American King Air - Registered owner: American King Air - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2011, 32 hours before - Departed: MRY, Monterey, CA - Destination: ITO, Hilo, HI - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 26, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 9,380 total, 300 in this make and model, 9,100 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Observed at: ITO, 12 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 20111007025219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111007025219A), Oct 7, 2011: Cessna T310R, Hilo, HI, Destroyed. Pilot refueled acft at mry prior to departure and indicated all ferry fuel tanks were at 95%or more capacity. Based on 370 gallons at 26GPH this acft should of… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82023. 546 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 546 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357468&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.