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

May 21, 2010 · Cessna 210A · N6630X

Benson, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 2010
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Benson, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 210A
Tail Number
N6630X
Operator
Waylon D Crump
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR10LA251

The pilot reported that when he initiated a turn to final approach for landing, the engine suddenly lost power. He checked the cockpit gauges and the fuel selector, before attempting an unsuccessful engine restart. Unable to reach the runway, the pilot initiated a forced landing onto a ridge. During the landing, the left main landing gear and nose landing gear separated and the airplane slid to a stop on its nose. During the postaccident examination of the engine, the fuel system was tested and the fuel manifold diaphragm was found to be brittle and stiff. The engine driven fuel pump was fuel stained and when further inspected, the four screws that hold the body of the fuel pump together were found loose. When the pump was submerged in fuel and manually rotated, it emitted fuel along with large air bubbles. The four screws were then tightened and the pump was again submerged in fuel. The fuel flowed normally without any air bubbles present. It is likely that the fuel manifold valve would require more fuel pressure than normal for it to function properly because of the fuel diaphragm’s brittleness and stiffness. It is also likely that the four loose screws on the fuel pump body allowed air to mix in with the fuel causing the pump to cavitate. Therefore, the fuel pressure dropped to a level that would cause the fuel manifold valve to close, subsequently starving the engine of fuel. An annual inspection was reported to have been completed 11.1 hours prior to the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of a loss of fuel pressure caused by the fuel pump screws being loose. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.

Full Narrative

On May 21, 2010, about 1030 mountain standard time, a Cessna 210A, N6630X, lost engine power during approach to landing at Benson Municipal Airport (E95), Benson, Arizona. The airplane subsequently collided with terrain during the off airport landing, substantially damaging the left wing. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger received minor injuries. The local personal flight departed Benson about 1130. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he extended the downwind leg of the traffic pattern to test the landing gear warning system before he turned to the base leg. As the pilot initiated a turn to final, the engine suddenly lost power. The pilot scanned all of the gauges and confirmed the fuel selector valve was on the fullest fuel tank; he then turned on the boost pump and attempted to restart the engine, but was unsuccessful. The pilot observed a nearby road and attempted to land on it, however, the airplane landed short onto a ridge. Both the left main landing gear and the nose wheel landing gear were sheared off and the airplane slid on its nose until it came to a rest. Post accident examination of the engine by a certificated airframe and powerplant mechanic and a Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that the fuel system was tested and the diaphragm in the fuel manifold valve was found to be brittle and stiff. The engine driven fuel pump had fuel stains on it, and when further inspected, the four screws that hold the body of the fuel pump together were found loose. The pump was submerged in fuel and manually rotated with a drill motor at 2,000 rpm; it emitted fuel along with large air bubbles. The four screws were tightened and the pump was again submerged in the fuel; it flowed normally without any air bubbles present. Examination of the airplane records indicated that an annual inspection had been completed on February 1, 2010, with a reported tach time of 4,736.7. The tach time at the time of the accident was 4,747.8.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:30 MST
Nearest AirportBenson Municipal Airport (1nm)
Runway28
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 210A
Tail NumberN6630X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWaylon D Crump
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · IO-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 31 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point27 C
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data