LONESTAR, TX, USA
N369PT
Cessna T210L
The pilot was being vectored around thunderstorm activity while en route from a fuel stop to his intended destination. He indicated to approach control that he was low on fuel, and he was going to attempt to locate and land at a private airport. The engine lost power, and the aircraft landed in trees about 1 mile south of the airport and came to rest inverted. According to the pilot's written statement, he was calculating the airplane's fuel burn in miles per gallon instead of gallons per hour. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airplane had run out of fuel. The engine was test run, and it ran for approximately 30 minutes with no difficulties noted. Inspection of the engine and airframe log books revealed that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection.
On September 20, 1996, at 2000 central daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N369PT, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Lonestar, Texas. The airplane, owned and operated by a private owner, was being operated under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight that originated from Akron Fulton International Airport, Akron, Ohio. A flight plan was not filed. The pilot stated during a telephone interview conducted by an FAA inspector that he was being vectored around thunderstorm activity while en route from a fuel stop in Missouri to his intended destination of Addison Airport, Dallas, Texas. The pilot indicated to approach control that he was low on fuel, and he was going to attempt to locate and land at Lonestar Steel Company's private airport. One mile south of the airport the engine lost power. During the emergency landing, the airplane struck trees and came to rest inverted. The pilot was able to disembark unassisted. He remained with the aircraft for nearly 5 hours before being rescued by local authorities. The pilot stated in the Pilot/Operator Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), that he was calculating the airplane's fuel burn in miles per gallon instead of gallons per hour. During a telephone interview conducted by the investigator in charge, the pilot stated that the airplane had run out of fuel. The engine was operated for approximately 30 minutes at Air Salvage of Dallas, in Lancaster, Texas, and no anomalies were noted. Inspection of the engine and airframe log books revealed that the airplane did not have a current annual inspection.
The loss of engine power due to the pilot's improper fuel consumption calculations resulting in the fuel exhaustion. A factor was the unsuitable terrain for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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