Pilot Debrief

CESSNA P210N near Conway, AR — 2012-11-07

Final reportCEN13LA054
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Date
2012-11-07
Location
Conway, AR, USA
Airport
CWS
Aircraft
CESSNA P210N
Registration
N887JA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the lack of fuel and resulted in fuel exhaustion during climb, and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude from which he was unable to recover.

NTSB narrative

The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff when it was about 300 to 500 feet about ground level. The airplane then impacted trees and terrain about 300 feet north of the departure runway end. A witness stated that the airplane stalled during the climb and banked "hard" right before impacting the ground. There was no fuel smell and no foliage discoloration consistent with a fuel spill at the accident site. Neither of the two header fuel tanks contained fuel. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel before departure from CWS.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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