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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

August 10, 2021 · Cessna 210D · N3944Y

West Fargo, ND

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 10, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
West Fargo, ND
Aircraft
Cessna 210D (1964)
Tail Number
N3944Y
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN21LA371

The pilot was performing a go-around at the destination airport when the airplane lost total engine power and subsequently impacted terrain. Postaccident examination revealed useable fuel in the left-wing fuel tank, and no useable fuel in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector was positioned to the left-wing fuel tank. The fuel vent system was unobstructed. The examination revealed little fuel in the fuel system from the fuel selector to the engine, which was consistent with fuel starvation. The fuel sender resistance values for the left-wing tank indicated that erroneous fuel quantity values would have been displayed at the cockpit fuel gauges. There were no anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. Based on the available information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation when the pilot exhausted the fuel supply in the right-wing tank. Although the fuel selector was found selected to the tank that contained fuel, it is likely that the pilot switched fuel tanks following the loss of engine power.

NTSB Probable Cause

Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Fuel-Fluid level

Full Narrative

On August 10, 2021, about 1545 central daylight time, a Cessna 210D airplane, N3944Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Fargo, North Dakota. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Witnesses stated that the pilot performed a go-around after an attempt to land on runway 18. During the go-around, the airplane banked right and the engine “cut out.” The airplane impacted a field west of the runway and sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. An on-scene examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the fuel selector was in the left tank position. There was about 8 gallons of fuel in the left wing fuel tank and no useable fuel in the right wing fuel tank. The right wing sustained impact damage, but there was no evidence of fuel on the ground at the accident site. There was no evidence of a fuel leak or fuel staining on the airplane. A subsequent examination of the engine and fuel system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Examination of the fuel system found about 1/8 ounce of fuel in the fuel system forward of the fuel selector. The fuel system lines and components were intact, secure, and did not exhibit any evidence of leakage. The fuel vent system was unobstructed. The fuel selector operated through its detents without anomaly. An ohmmeter was used to check resistances of both fuel senders when their float arms were positioned at the top and bottom mechanical stops. The approximate resistance values for the left fuel sender bottom stop was 28 ohms, the right fuel sender bottom stop was 38 ohms. According to the aircraft manufacturer, the fuel senders’ minimum resistance value should be 33.5 ohms +/- 2 ohms.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:45 CDT
Nearest AirportWest Fargo Muni (0nm WNW)
Runway18
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 210D
Tail NumberN3944Y
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-A · Reciprocating
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 60 · Third Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 19 kt, gusting 30 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 F
Altimeter29.68 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data