Summary
On August 26, 1993, a Cessna T210N (N6142Y) was involved in an incident near Springdale, AR. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
On August 26, 1993, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N6142Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Springdale Municipal Airport, Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight.
According to the tower operator, the airplane was executing a straight in approach from the north, and had been cleared to land on Runway 18, when the pilot called and stated that his engine lost power.
This incident is documented in NTSB report FTW93LA246. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N6142Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THE IMPROPER USE OF THE FUEL SELECTOR. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST, AND THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On August 26, 1993, at 1300 central daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N6142Y, was substantially damaged during a forced landing to the Springdale Municipal Airport, Springdale, Arkansas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the business flight.
According to the tower operator, the airplane was executing a straight in approach from the north, and had been cleared to land on Runway 18, when the pilot called and stated that his engine lost power. The airplane was approximately one mile out when the call was made.
After impacting a pole and several pieces of construction equipment, the airplane came to rest in the parking lot for a food processing plant, approximately three quarters of a mile from the runway threshold.
The pilot calculated that he had 44 gallons of fuel on board prior to departing on the first leg of the flight. Fuel quantity; however, was not visually checked by the pilot. Fuel for both legs of the flight was drawn from the right tank. The pilot added that after the engine lost power on final approach, he switched the fuel selector from the right to the left tank, while activating the auxiliary fuel pump. On the enclosed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that the engine failed to restart due to fuel vapor lock. The right fuel cell was found to be dry, while fuel was available in the left fuel cell.
The manufacturer's Before Landing Checklist from the Pilot's Handbook (enclosed), recommends placing the fuel selector valve in the fullest tank position.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# FTW93LA246