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

October 21, 2002 · Cessna 210C · N9788X

Riverside, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 21, 2002
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Riverside, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 210C
Tail Number
N9788X
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX03LA014

During the instrument approach the engine quit, and the pilot attempted a forced landing in hilly terrain and poor visibility. According to flight planning information recovered from inside the airplane, it had departed with full fuel (63.5 useable gallons). The airplane had been airborne for about 3:17 hours at the time of the accident. Prior to disassembly of the airplane for recovery, the recovery agent drained the fuel tanks. The left tank had about 13 gallons of blue liquid with the odor of aviation gasoline, and the right tank was empty. The manufacturer ran the engine in a test cell. It performed normally without any hesitation or interruptions in power from idle to full throttle.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to position the fuel selector to the tank containing fuel resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 21, 2002, at 1002 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 210C, N9788X, collided with terrain during a forced landing near Riverside, California. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The commercial pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the remaining passenger sustained a serious injury. The airplane was substantially damaged. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the destination airport, and an instrument approach was in progress. The personal flight originated at Gallup, New Mexico, about 0645 mountain daylight time, and was destined for Ontario, California. The airplane lost engine power during the instrument approach into Ontario International Airport, and the pilot executed a forced landing on a hill about 5 miles east of the airport. According to flight planning information recovered from inside the airplane, it had departed Gallup with full fuel (63.5 useable gallons). The airplane had been airborne for about 3:17 hours at the time of the accident. Prior to disassembly of the airplane for recovery, the recovery agent drained the fuel tanks. The left tank contained about 13 gallons of a blue liquid with the odor of aviation gasoline. The right tank was empty. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records revealed that the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with airplane single engine land and instrument ratings. The pilot held a certified flight instructor certificate. Examination of limited flight logbook information revealed an approximate total flight time of 628 hours. Of that time, 206 hours were in the accident make and model. The logbook documented a total of 20 actual instrument flight hours. The pilot's most recent instrument proficiency check flight occurred on April 8, 2002, and he completed a biennial flight review on April 23, 2002. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Examination of logbook records revealed that the last documented annual inspection occurred on April 25, 2002, at 5,009 total flight hours. The records also revealed non-compliance with the provisions of Federal Air Regulation's 91.413 (transponder) and 91.411 (static and altimeter system) required 24-month check. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION At 0953, the Ontario International Airport was reporting: wind calm; visibility 1 3/4 miles; sky condition overcast at 700 feet above ground level; temperature 14 degrees Celsius; dew point 12 degrees Celsius; and altimeter setting 29.94 inHg. TESTS AND RESEARCH INFORMATION The engine was shipped to the manufacturer, Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM), for examination, and test run in a formal test cell with Safety Board oversight. After removal from bond storage, and with normal preparation, technicians installed the engine into a test cell. There were no substitute parts installed for the test run. The engine started on the first attempt, and the test cell operator advanced the engine rpm to 1,200 rpm for warm-up in preparation for full power operation. The engine accelerated normally without any hesitation or interruption in power. The cell operator advanced the engine rpm to 2,625 rpm (full throttle). The operator advanced the engine to full throttle (2,625 rpm) from idle (600 rpm) several times. It performed normally without any hesitation or interruptions in power. The operation of the engine was normal with no abnormalities that would have prevented normal operation and production of rated horsepower. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The Safety Board released the wreckage to the owner's representative.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:02 PDT
Nearest AirportOntario Int'L (0nm)
Runway26L
Runway Length10200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 210C
Tail NumberN9788X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-S · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 54
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time06:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data