Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210 near Redding, CA — 2023-05-20

Final reportWPR23LA197
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Date
2023-05-20
Location
Redding, CA, USA
Airport
RDD
Aircraft
CESSNA 210
Registration
N9433T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A fuel leak caused by an age-degraded fuel pressure sender hose, which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported the airplane lost engine power during cruise flight following a loss of fuel pressure. The pilot was not able to restart the engine by following the emergency procedures; however, he was able to regain partial power in short bursts by engaging the auxiliary fuel pump. He diverted the airplane for landing, but landed short of the runway after the engine lost all power. The right wing and tailcone were substantially damaged during the landing. Although the engine appeared functional, it had a history of water entering the fuel system, and there was evidence of water ingestion and corrosion within those engine components. Additionally, the hose that connected the fuel pressure sender to the fuel controller had broken at the fuel controller fitting. Such a failure in flight would have resulted in the loss of fuel pressure observed by the pilot and a leak in the fuel system that would have caused the engine to lose power. No other anomalies were found with the engine or airframe fuel supply system. The hose was age-degraded, had become hard and brittle, and appeared to have corroded at the fuel controller fitting. The engine and fuel control system did not appear to have been overhauled or replaced in 28 years. Although the manufacturer recommends an overhaul be accomplished every 12 years, there is no requirement under Part 91 operations that the operator abide by the manufacturer’s engine overhaul limits.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot did not declare an emergency when engine lost power initially.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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