Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T210M near Wells, NV — 2012-07-19

Final reportWPR12LA313
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Date
2012-07-19
Location
Wells, NV, USA
Airport
KLWL
Aircraft
CESSNA T210M
Registration
N6181N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during the final landing approach for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

The engine lost all power during the final landing approach following the fifth leg of the training flight. The pilot and flight instructor were unable to perform troubleshooting steps due to the airplane’s low altitude. Following a forced landing to a dirt field just short of the runway, the airplane nosed over. It was recovered the day after the accident. Although the left fuel tank was empty, the filler cap appeared to have been leaking, and it is therefore likely that the tank drained while the airplane remained inverted until it was recovered. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine sustained minimal damage during the accident and ran successfully during the examination.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departure from Wendover.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 8 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents8

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