Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
fuel starvation due to the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and improper fuel tank selection.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 31, 1996, about 1355 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna T210L, N2059S, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power on final approach to the San Carlos Apache Airport in Globe, Arizona. The airplane collided with rough terrain adjacent to the airport and was substantially damaged. The private pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the personal flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Globe at 1215.
The airplane was recovered from the accident site and examined. The fuel selector was found positioned to the right fuel tank. No fuel was observed in the right tank, and about 22.5 gallons of fuel was found in the left fuel tank.
According to the pilot's self described partner in life, the pilot's injuries precluded him from completing the required accident report. The partner completed the form on behalf of the pilot. The partner indicated that the pilot's last biennial flight review was accomplished on February 10, 1993.
An examination of the airplane's maintenance records indicated that the airplane last received an annual inspection on June 9, 1994. The partner also reported that during the 90-day period which preceded the crash, the pilot had flown the airplane for about 6 hours.
The engine was shipped to Teledyne Continental Motors' manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, where it was examined and test run under the supervision of an FAA inspector. No evidence of preimpact malfunctions was observed. The engine was successfully operated.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX96LA323