Cessna T210L N93377

Summary

On 26 March 1999 at about 20:10 local time, a Cessna T210L registered N93377, operated by Wings Aloft, was involved in an accident near Port Angeles, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 March 1999 at 20:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Port Angeles, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.9909, -123.2497

Aircraft

Cessna T210L

Registration

N93377

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Wings Aloft

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Seattle → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA99LA044

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's improper in-flight decision which resulted in a loss of power due to a contaminated fuel system. Factors include unsuitable terrain and the fence.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the annual inspection, leaking fuel tank caps and a water-contaminated fuel system were discovered. After completion of the annual, to include replacement of the caps and extensive actions to purge the system of any contamination, the pilot was asked to take the airplane on a post-maintenance test flight. During this flight, the pilot, who had been made aware that there had been significant water contamination of the fuel system, was supposed to make sure the aircraft ran properly and that there was nothing wrong with it. The pilot operated the engine prior to takeoff with the left fuel system selected, but did not select the right tank to see if he could detect any residual water contamination in that side of the system. He also did not test the right system while at altitude or when at a location where he could easily reach an airport if the engine lost power. After descending toward his en route destination, the pilot switched to the right fuel system and soon thereafter the engine experienced a complete loss of power. Unable to extend the glide to the airport, the pilot was able to land on a municipal baseball field. Although the touchdown was successful, the pilot was unable to get the airplane stopped prior to impacting the backstop.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.