Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210 near Houma, LA — 2010-08-31

Final reportCEN10LA512
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Date
2010-08-31
Location
Houma, LA, USA
Airport
HUM
Aircraft
CESSNA 210
Registration
N210PR
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s improper fuel management, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

NTSB narrative

During the first leg of a cross-country flight, the pilot refueled the airplane with about 55 gallons. The flight then proceeded to the destination airport and experienced a total loss of power about 3 hours later. The pilot elected to conduct a forced landing to a cane field, during which the airplane impacted the ground hard and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported that the airplane normally burned about 17 gallons an hour and that he expected to land at the destination airport with about 32 gallons remaining. A visual inspection of the airplane and accident site did not identify any signs of a fuel spill. A postaccident examination of the airplane’s fuel tanks and system revealed only trace amounts of fuel. Additionally, the examination of the engine and airframe revealed no apparent leaks or abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have monitored fuel gauges during descent to prevent engine power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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