Cessna T-210-M N621BD

Summary

On 29 October 1990 at about 01:30 local time, a Cessna T-210-M registered N621BD, operated by Denver Air Center, was involved in an accident near Buena Vista, Colorado, United States. 6 people were on board and 4 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 October 1990 at 01:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Buena Vista, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Buena Vista (7V1)

Coordinates

38.8293, -106.1392

Aircraft

Cessna T-210-M

Registration

N621BD

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Denver Air Center

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Scottsdale → Broomfield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

DEN91LA014

4 people had minor injuries.

THE PILOT MISJUDGED THE FUEL SUPPLY RESULTING IN FUEL EXHAUSTION.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING FIVE PASSENGERS ON A ROUND TRIP CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PASSENGERS, THEY PAID THE PILOT FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT SAID HE TOOK OFF WITH WHAT HE ESTIMATED WAS 64 GALLONS OF FUEL. TWO HOURS AND TWENTY FIVE MINUTES LATER, HE REPORTED THAT THE PLANE WAS OUT OF FUEL, AND HE ATTEMPTED AN ENGINE OUT LANDING TO RUNWAY 33. THE PLANE LANDED 400 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, STRUCK A FENCE, SHEARED THE NOSE GEAR, AND NOSED OVER. THE PLANE CAME TO REST INVERTED 40 YARDS SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. BOTH WINGS, THE CABIN AND FUSELAGE WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE RESCUE PERSONNEL AND LAW OFFICERS ON THE SCENE REPORTED THE TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NO FUEL SPILL WAS FOUND AT THE ACCIDENT SCENE. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND NO FUEL IN THE ENGINE SYSTEM, AND COULD FIND NO EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN ANY INCREASED FUEL USAGE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.