Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210 near Salida, CO — 2017-04-20

Final reportCEN17LA162
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Date
2017-04-20
Location
Salida, CO, USA
Airport
ANK
Aircraft
CESSNA 210
Registration
N9589T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB narrative

The private pilot was landing the airplane at the conclusion of a cross-country flight when the engine experienced a total loss of power in the airport traffic pattern. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success and subsequently landed the airplane in a field, where it impacted a fence and irrigation equipment. The pilot stated the right fuel tank was selected at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination revealed that the right tank contained 14 to 15 gallons of fuel, and that the left fuel tank contained about 1 gallon of fuel. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. The engine functioned normally during a postaccident test run. Given the lack of engine anomalies, it is likely that the airplane was operating on the left tank at the time of the accident, and the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation; it is likely that the pilot moved the fuel selector to the right tank position during his attempt to restart the engine.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel before switching tanks.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 6 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents6

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