Pilot Debrief

CESSNA T210N near La Verne, CA — 2015-11-19

Final reportWPR16LA030
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Date
2015-11-19
Location
La Verne, CA, USA
Airport
POC
Aircraft
CESSNA T210N
Registration
N91HC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was performing an aerial survey flight and departed with the fuel tanks filled to maximum capacity. After performing the survey, he began his return to the destination airport with about 40 minutes of fuel on board. While en route, he determined the fuel quantity was lower than he expected and opted to divert to a nearby airport. Before landing, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the fullest fuel tank (left side), which showed about 6-7 gallons; the right side showed about 4-5 gallons. While on final approach, the engine suddenly experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot was unable to restart it. With the propeller windmilling, the pilot aligned the airplane with the closest runway and configured the airplane for best glide. As the airplane neared the ground, the left wing collided with a sign and the airplane impacted the ground. The airplane erupted in flames and was partially consumed by fire. The left wing was separated from the airframe and mostly consumed by fire. The right wing was partially burned and remained loosely attached to the airframe. Wreckage retrieval personnel recovered about 2 1/4 gallons of fuel from the right wing and stated that there was water in the sample; however, foam had been used to extinguish the fire, and the source of the water could not be determined. Due to the severe damage to the fuel system, continuity of the system could not be established. The examination revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failures of the airframe or engine that would have prevented normal operation. Fuel consumption calculations revealed that, if the airplane departed on the flight with full fuel tanks, then there should have been about 21 gallons of fuel on board at the time of the accident. Due to the damage and postimpact fire, which precluded thorough examination of the fuel system and determination of the amount of fuel on board, the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have landed at Brackett Field sooner due to low fuel.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ATC audio
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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