Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

December 14, 1996 · Cessna T210M · N1929M

Charlottesville, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 14, 1996
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Location
Charlottesville, VA
Aircraft
Cessna T210M
Tail Number
N1929M
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC97LA029

While en route at 11,500 feet msl, the pilot encountered 'severe' headwinds and decided to divert to Charlottesville to refuel. About 2 to 3 minutes into his descent for Charlottesville, the engine lost power. The pilot switched from the left to right fuel tank and power was restored; however, later at 4,500 feet msl, a second power loss occurred. Unable to glide to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a cow pasture, about 1 mile short the airport. FAA examination of the airplane revealed both fuel tanks were empty. The pilot reported the accident could have been prevented by 'proper fuel calculating along with a fuel computer installed, because of the frequency-distances-complexity of the average mission.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's miscalculation of fuel consumption and his inadequate in-flight decision making, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On December 14, 1996, about 1358 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210M, N1929M, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain during a forced landed near Charlottesville, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and two passenger were not injured; three passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that departed Greenville, South Carolina, destined for Leesburg, Virginia, and conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, while en route at 11,500 feet msl, he encountered "severe" headwinds and decided to divert to Charlottesville to refuel because "I don't ever like going below 10 gallons per side." The pilot reported that 2 to 3 minutes into his descent for Charlottesville, the engine lost power. He switched from the left to right fuel tank and power was restored; however, at 4,500 feet msl, a second loss of power occurred. Unable to glide to the airport, the pilot executed a forced landing to a cow pasture, about 1 mile short of the airport. FAA examination of the airplane revealed the fuel tanks were empty. The pilot reported the accident could have been prevented by "proper fuel calculating along with a fuel computer installed because of the frequency-distances-complexity of the average mission."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:58 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T210M
Tail NumberN1929M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520R · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 minor injuries), 3 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor3
Uninjured3
Total6
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data