SPRINGDALE, AR, USA
N6142Y
CESSNA T210N
THE PILOT CALCULATED, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CONFIRM, THAT THE FUEL CELLS CONTAINED 44 GALLONS OF FUEL PRIOR TO DEPARTING ON A 30 MINUTE FLIGHT. BOTH LEGS OF THE FLIGHT WERE FLOWN ON THE RIGHT TANK, AND AS THE AIRPLANE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH, THE ENGINE LOST POWER DUE TO FUEL STARVATION. THE PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE LEFT TANK AND ACTIVATED THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP. 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 ON THE LEFT FUEL CELL. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A POLE AND CAME TO REST IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE FROM THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD. THE MANUFACTURER'S BEFORE LANDING CHECKLIST CALLED FOR USE OF THE FULLEST TANK FOR 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. 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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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