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NTSB Report
October 15, 1989 · Cessna P210 · N47DB
Waterloo, IA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Waterloo, IA
Aircraft
Cessna P210
Tail Number
N47DB
Operator
Gateway Financial Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC90LA008
DURING A NIGHT, BUSINESS, CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE QUIT ABOUT 8 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE DESTINATION AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER VECTORED HIM TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HIS POSITION. THE RUNWAY LIGHTS ON THE GRASS STRIP WERE OPERATED MANUALLY AND HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. THE PLT SAID HE GUESSED AT THE LOCATION OF THE AIRSTRIP DUE TO FAMILIARITY WITH THE AREA. THE ACFT HIT A FENCE AND CAME TO REST AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS TO BE EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.
NTSB Probable Cause
FUEL EXHAUSTION, DUE TO POOR PLANNING/DECISION, AND FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS MISJUDGED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND. THE FACT THAT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE NOT OPERATING & THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT NIGHT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Full Narrative
DURING A NIGHT, BUSINESS, CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT SAID THAT THE ENGINE QUIT ABOUT 8 MILES FROM HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE DESTINATION AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER VECTORED HIM TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, ABOUT 3 MILES FROM HIS POSITION. THE RUNWAY LIGHTS ON THE GRASS STRIP WERE OPERATED MANUALLY AND HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. THE PLT SAID HE GUESSED AT THE LOCATION OF THE AIRSTRIP DUE TO FAMILIARITY WITH THE AREA. THE ACFT HIT A FENCE AND CAME TO REST AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANKS TO BE EMPTY OF USABLE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:10 CDT
Nearest AirportEast Waterloo (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna P210
Tail NumberN47DB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorGateway Financial Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-P · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind110° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 55
Altimeter0
Observation Time01:10
Weather SourceWFAC