# NTSB WPR16LA008: Cessna T210K, N8273M, Boise, ID, October 13, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 2015, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Boise, ID - Coordinates: 43.572223, -116.240554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5722&lon=-116.2406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 92164 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92164/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92164 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA008 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management due to distraction and self-induced pressure, which resulted in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to conduct the descent checklist, which included a task to manage fuel. ## 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 management (probable cause) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) - [Personality/attitude: motivation/respond to pressure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021025): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed on a time-sensitive cargo flight with about 30 gallons of fuel in each tank. The flight was uneventful until the airplane was about 650 ft above ground level and about 2 miles from the destination airport when the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot attempted to troubleshoot the loss of power by activating both fuel boost pumps, but he did not verify the fuel selector position or attempt an engine restart, and the engine power was not restored. He configured the airplane to land on an interstate adjacent to the airport and activated the landing gear; however, the gear did not extend before the airplane impacted the road. The pilot reported that he was distracted with some paperwork during the flight and "failed to switch tanks" at the halfway point as he had initially planned. Further, the pilot experienced high workload during the descent due to weather reports and other traffic, and he did not use the descent checklist, which included a task to "manage fuel." Postaccident examination of the fuel system revealed that about 22 gallons of fuel remained in the left fuel tank and that there was no fuel in the right fuel tank. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. Further, examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies to the landing gear extension and locking mechanisms. According to the airplane manufacturer, the landing gear hydraulic pump is powered by the engine; therefore, it is likely that the landing gear failed to deploy as a result of the power loss. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 2015, about 0700 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T210K airplane, N8273M, was substantially damaged during a forced landing attempt near Boise Air Terminal (BOI), Boise, Idaho. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated by SP Aircraft under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135. The commercial pilot and sole occupant of the airplane was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the non-scheduled cargo, cross country flight that departed Spokane International Airport (GEG), Spokane, Washington at 0422 Pacific daylight time and was destined for BOI. According to the pilot's statement, he departed GEG on a time-sensitive flight with about 30 gallons of fuel in each wing fuel tank. During the flight the pilot became preoccupied with some paperwork in the cockpit and "failed to switch tanks" as he had planned at the halfway point. About 2 miles from BOI and approximately 650 feet above ground level, the engine "surged" and subsequently lost power. The pilot advanced the mixture, propeller, and throttle controls to their full forward positions and engaged the fuel boost pump, but was unable to regain engine power. He did not verify the fuel selector position or attempt an engine restart. He quickly evaluated the possible landing sites and decided to land on the lighted interstate adjacent to the airport. The airplane was "a few hundred" feet above the ground when the pilot attempted to lower the landing gear, but "the landing gear didn't have enough time to extend." The airplane touched down on its belly and came to rest near the shoulder of the interstate. In his written statement, the pilot remarked that the engine failure could also have been prevented "by using the checklist provided in the aircraft during descent", which includes the task "manage fuel." During a follow-up telephone conversation, the pilot stated that he was distracted during the descent phase of the flight and failed to use the checklist. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation with the exception of the landing gear, which failed to extend during the approach. He attributed the landing gear failure to the loss of engine power, but was not able to verify this assumption. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left aileron. The FAA inspector recorded 22 gallons in the left tank and observed no evidence of fuel in the right tank. According to photographs taken at the accident site by FAA, the landing gear and doors were in the retracted position and the landing gear position handle was in the neutral position. The inspector also verified fuel system continuity and functionality for both fuel boost pumps. An airframe and powerplant mechanic tested the landing gear under the supervision of the FAA, which revealed noanomalies as all three landing gear extended to their respective down and locked positions. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the retractable tricycle landing gear is operated by hydraulic actuators and powered by an engine-driven hydraulic pump. To cycle the landing gear to the up or down position, the landing gear handle must be pulled out, moved to the respective position and released. Pressure from the engine-driven hydraulic pump will then actuate the gear into the selected position. The landing gear handle will be held in place by a detent until the cycle is completed; then the handle will automatically return to the neutral position. ## 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) (defining event) - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - [Emergency descent: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8273M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8273M-2018-07-13), registration cancelled 2018-07-13, S/N 21059273, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210K - Registry model: [Cessna T210K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210k) (registry code 2073447) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GTSIO-520-C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-gtsio-520-c) (registry code 17035, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21059273 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 8975.1 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520R 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: SP Aircraft - Registered owner: Andrew and Bonnie Patrick - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 2015, 29 hours before - Departed: GEG, SPOKANE, WA - Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID - Airport: BOI, Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Fld - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor, sport pilot; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,490.4 total, 83.8 in this make and model, 1,395.6 as pilot in command, 230.8 in the last 90 days, 55.5 in the last 30 days, 1.2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: BOI, 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 20151013016899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151013016899A), Oct 13, 2015: Cessna T210K, Boise, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot departed kgeg with approximately 60 gallons of fuel on board. Aircraft was cleared to land at kboi runway 10L. At about 1 mile from the airport, the… ## Other investigations on N8273M (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB SEA95LA174](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA174), Aug 7, 1995: Cessna T210K (N8273M), Bliss, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MANAGE THE FUEL SYSTEM TO AVOID RUNNING A TANK DRY AT A LOW ALTITUDE. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING. - [NTSB LAX88LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA291), Jul 25, 1988: Cessna T210K (N8273M), Huntington Bch, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92164. 7.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434225&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversations (item 2, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Pilot's Operating Handbook (item 3, .PDF, 3.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Pilot%27s%20Operating%20Handbook-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434228&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 302 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434229&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2 photos, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434230&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.