Cessna T210N N1604U

Summary

On 29 December 1990 at about 18:23 local time, a Cessna T210N registered N1604U was involved in an accident near Aspen, Colorado, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 December 1990 at 18:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Aspen, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Aspen-Pitkin Co/Sardy Fld (ASE)

Coordinates

39.1302, -106.8399

Aircraft

Cessna T210N

Registration

N1604U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Van Nuys → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN91LA029

1 person had minor injuries.

FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS RESULTANT FROM FAULTY FUEL CAPS AND FUEL SYPHONING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ENGLEWOOD, CO, AND FLEW TO LAS VEGAS, NV. IN 4.7 HRS. IT TOOK 80 GALLONS OF FUEL TO TOP OFF THE TANKS. THE PILOT THEN FLEW TO VAN NUYS, CA, IN 1.5 HRS. THE TANKS WERE TOPPED OFF AGAIN, REQUIRING 25.3 GALLONS. THE NEXT DAY, DUE TO FAVORABLE TAILWINDS, THE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER PLANNED TO FLY TO ASPEN, CO, NONSTOP. DURING DESCENT INTO ASPEN AFTER 3.4 HOURS OF FLYING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD 2 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. 1.5 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DRAINED FROM THE LEFT TANK; THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE AIRPLANE OPERATOR REPORTED WORK HAD RECENTLY BEEN DONE ON THE FUEL FILLER CAPS BECAUSE WATER HAD BEEN LEAKING INTO THE FUEL TANKS. THE OPERATOR ALSO REPORTED FUEL SIPHONING FROM THE FILLER CAPS. FAA HAD ISSUED AN ADVANCED NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING ADDRESSING THESE SUBJECTS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.