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NTSB Report
December 29, 1990 · Cessna T210N · N1604U
Aspen, CO
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 29, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Aspen, CO
Aircraft
Cessna T210N
Tail Number
N1604U
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN91LA029
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.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS RESULTANT FROM FAULTY FUEL CAPS AND FUEL SYPHONING.
Full Narrative
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.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:23 MST
Nearest AirportAspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Fld (2nm SSE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna T210N
Tail NumberN1604U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-R · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 14 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:29
Weather SourceWFAC