# NTSB WPR19LA165: Cessna T210, N732DK, Medford, OR, May 15, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 14, 2019, 19:20 local (May 15, 2019, 02:20 UTC) - Place: Medford, OR - Coordinates: 42.538887, -122.903892 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5389&lon=-122.9039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 99587 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99587/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99587 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA165 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## 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); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel related](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 361 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/190/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he completed a cross-country flight. Shortly after departing on the return flight, the engine lost total power because he had “run out of fuel.” The pilot attempted to return to the airport to land. He switched fuel tanks but forgot to activate the fuel boost pump. Engine power was not restored, and the pilot landed in a field short of the runway, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail. One fuel tank was dry, and the other contained fuel. The fuel onboard was not quantified by the FAA inspector, but the pilot reported that the airplane contained 20 gallons. Based on the information available, it is likely that the pilot exhausted the fuel supply in one tank, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2019, about 1920 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N732DK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Medford, Oregon. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he completed a cross-country flight from French Valley Airport (F70), Murrieta, California to Beagle Sky Ranch Airport (OR96), Medford, Oregon. Shortly after departing on the return flight, the engine lost total power because he had “run out of fuel.” The pilot attempted to return to the airport to land. He switched fuel tanks but forgot to activate the fuel boost pump. Engine power was not restored, and the pilot landed in a field short of the runway, during which the airplane sustained substantial damage. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the site reported that the airplane sustained substantial damage to the tail. One fuel tank was dry, and the other contained fuel. The fuel onboard was not quantified by the FAA inspector, but the pilot reported that the airplane contained 20 gallons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N732DK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N732DK), registered now, S/N 21061432, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210 (L) - Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21061432 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: Continental Motors TSIO-520-SER 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: F70, Murrieta/Temecula, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: OR96, Beagle Sky Ranch ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KMFR, 10 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 20190514004649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190514004649A), May 14, 2019: Cessna T210L, White City, OR, Substantial damage. On may 15, 2019 at approximately 0235Z, aircraft lost power due to fuel depletion in the left tank. PIC was in the traffic pattern on approach to landing at… ## Other investigations on N732DK (2) 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 CEN09CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA101), Dec 24, 2008: Cessna T210L (N732DK), Santa Fe, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's decision to land in gusty crosswinds, leading to his inability to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident were the crosswinds. - [NTSB LAX03LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA075), Jan 25, 2003: Cessna T210L (N732DK), El Monte, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the alternator switch contact failure, which resulted in a complete electrical failure. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 15, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99587. 280 KB in all. - Record of conversation (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13978803&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=RoC%20WPR19LA165%20NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Summary of findings (NTSB) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13920721&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR19LA165%20Summary%20of%20Findings%20NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Summary of findings (FAA) (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13921144&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Summary%20of%20Findings%20FAA_Redacted-Rel.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.