Clewiston, FL, USA
N717KW
CESSNA T210L
According to the pilot, he began the flight with about 15 to 18 gallons of fuel on board. About 45 minutes into the flight, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot performed an off-airport landing. During the approach, the pilot noticed a power line, overran the field, and the airplane came to rest submerged in a freshwater canal with only the left wing above the water. A postrecovery examination revealed that the fuel selector valve in the cockpit was selected to the left fuel tank, the left fuel tank and the fuel lines to the engine were devoid of fuel, and the right fuel tank contained about 2 gallons of fuel. No fuel or oil was observed in the water around the airplane. No mechanical malfunctions were noted that would have prevented normal operation. According to the pilot’s operating handbook, about 0.5 gallon of fuel per tank is unusable. Although some usable fuel was recovered from the right tank, based on the airplane’s fuel consumption data, fuel exhaustion would have been imminent. Further, the quantity of fuel on board was insufficient to meet the 30-minute day visual flight rules fuel reserve requirements specified in 14 Code of Federal Regulations 91.151(a)(1).
On December 18, 2011, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210L, N717KW, experienced a total loss of engine power and performed a forced landing on a road approximately 11 miles from the Airglades Airport (2IS), Clewiston, Florida, which was the intended destination. The airplane came to rest in a canal and received minor damage. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated private pilot was not injured. The flight departed from North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood, Florida, about 1115. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated the airplane started to lose altitude while flying at 2,500 feet. He switched fuel tanks and the airplane continued to lose altitude. He decided to land on a dirt road; however, he noticed a powerline which "changed the landing decision" and the airplane went into a canal. The rear cabin window was broken by eyewitnesses to help the pilot exit. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that responded to the accident location, the airplane came to rest submerged in a fresh water canal with only the left wing being visible above the water, and exhibited only minor skin damage. The airplane was recovered from the canal and flight control continuity was confirmed to all flight control surfaces. The cockpit fuel selector valve was positioned on the left fuel tank. The left fuel tank was devoid of fuel, and approximately 2 gallons of fuel was drained from the right fuel tank. The fuel lines to the engine were also devoid of fuel. The pilot reported that when the flight began he had 15 to 18 gallons of fuel on board. According to handwritten paperwork, located inside the cockpit, the most recent tachometer time was 578.6 hours, 14 gallons of fuel onboard, and a departure time of 1115. Although no date was found on the paperwork the tachometer at the accident scene indicated 579.4 hours. According to the Cessna "Turbo Centurion" Owner's Manual, Chapter 6 "Operational Data," the airplane will consume approximately 20 pounds of fuel during a climb to 2,500 feet above mean sea level and between 56 and 98 pounds per hour in cruise flight depending on the power setting used. According to written documentation from personnel with the South Florida Water Management District, no fuel or oil residue was noted around the airplane while it was in the water.
The pilot's inadequate preflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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