Cessna 210 N6539X

Summary

On 30 December 2003 at about 07:19 local time, a Cessna 210 registered N6539X, operated by Brian Clemens, was involved in an accident near Rialto, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

30 December 2003 at 07:19

Classification

Accident

Location

Rialto, California, United States

Nearest airport

Rialto (L67)

Coordinates

34.1317, -117.4025

Aircraft

Cessna 210

Registration

N6539X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Brian Clemens

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Chino

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04LA083

2 people had minor injuries.

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his fuel mismanagement and his delay in initiating remedial action which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane collided with ground obstacles following a loss of engine power during a VFR go-around. During a 200-mile instrument cross-country flight, the pilot attempted to lean the mixture while climbing to an altitude of 10,000 feet; however, the engine would sputter and cough. The pilot chose to position the mixture in the "FULL RICH" position. Unable to climb to the appropriate altitude, the pilot canceled his IFR flight plan and continued VFR with flight following. About halfway through the flight, the right wing fuel gage was indicating empty, and though concerned about the apparent abnormal fuel consumption, the pilot decided to continue to his original destination. The fuel selector was then switched to the left fuel tank. At this time, the airplane was flying over several airports with maintenance and fueling facilities. Approaching the destination, the left fuel tank gage was indicating a low quantity and the pilot declared an emergency. The pilot attempted to land at a nearby airport but the airplane was too high and fast for landing. The engine lost power during a go-around attempt. Post accident examination did not reveal any fuel staining on the airplane. The vent lines and ports were unobstructed and the fuel tank filler cap seals were in good condition. Approximately 3 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank; approximately 10.5 gallons were drained from the right fuel tank. According to the POH for the airplane, the total fuel system capacity is 65 gallons, with 5 gallons (2.5 for each tank) unusable. The fuel selector has three positions, OFF, LEFT, and RIGHT. The fuel selector was in the "LEFT" position at the accident site. Impact damage precluded functional testing of the engine and the fuel metering unit. Fueling records established that the airplane was filled to capacity before flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.