ASPEN, CO, USA
N1604U
CESSNA T210N
THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ENGLEWOOD, CO, AND FLEW TO LAS VEGAS, NV. IN 4.7 HRS. IT TOOK 80 GALLONS OF FUEL TO TOP OFF THE TANKS. THE PILOT THEN FLEW TO VAN NUYS, CA, IN 1.5 HRS. THE TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF AGAIN, REQUIRING 25.3 GALLONS. THE NEXT DAY, DUE TO FAVORABLE TAILWINDS, THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER PLANNED TO FLY TO ASPEN, CO, NONSTOP. DURING DESCENT INTO ASPEN AFTER 3.4 HOURS OF FLYING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD 2 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. 1.5 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK; THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE AIRPLANE OPERATOR REPORTED WORK HAD RECENTLY BEEN DONE ON THE FUEL FILLER CAPS BECAUSE WATER HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE FUEL TANKS. THE OPERATOR ALSO REPORTED FUEL SIPHONING FROM THE FILLER CAPS. FAA HAD ISSUED AN ADVANCED NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING ADDRESSING THESE SUBJECTS.
FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS RESULTANT FROM FAULTY FUEL CAPS AND FUEL SYPHONING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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