Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX88FA256

CARSON, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N732QZ

CESSNA T210M

Analysis

A CESSNA T210M CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL ROOF AFTER A LOSS OF ENG PWR, DURING CRUISE DESCENT TO ENTER ARPT TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE RIGHT WING FUEL TANK AND HEADER TANK WERE EMPTY. THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE WAS FOUND WEDGED IN THE RIGHT TANK POSITION. FUEL STAINS WERE VISIBLE ON THE RIGHT WING EMANATING FROM SEVERAL FUEL TANK ACCESS PANELS. THE LEFT WING FUEL TANK HAD SUFFICIENT FUEL FOR THE PILOT TO REACH THE DESTINATION. THE EMERG PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK DIRECTS THE PILOT TO SWITCH TO THE FULLEST TANK. THE PILOT STATED WHEN HE REALIZED HE COULD NOT MAKE THE INTENDED FORCED LANDING AREA HE ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A SCHOOL YARD. HE THEN OVERSHOT THE SCHOOL YARD. THE ACFT WAS CONFIGURED WITH THE LANDING GEAR DOWN AND THE FLAPS UP. EMERGENCY PROCEDURE RECOMMENDS 30 DEGS OF FLAPS FOR A FORCED LANDING.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT FAILED TO FOLLOW THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED IN THE PILOT OPERATING HANDBOOK BY SWITCHING THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE FULLEST TANK. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS FUEL EXHAUSTION OF THE RIGHT WING TANK AS A RESULT OF FUEL SIPHONING.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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