Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect the lack of fuel and resulted in fuel exhaustion during climb, and the pilot's subsequent failure to maintain airplane control, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall at low altitude from which he was unable to recover.
NTSB analysis
The airplane experienced a total loss of engine power during climb after takeoff when it was about 300 to 500 feet about ground level. The airplane then impacted trees and terrain about 300 feet north of the departure runway end. A witness stated that the airplane stalled during the climb and banked "hard" right before impacting the ground. There was no fuel smell and no foliage discoloration consistent with a fuel spill at the accident site. Neither of the two header fuel tanks contained fuel. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13LA054 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 7, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Conway, Arkansas
- Nearest airport
- Dennis F Cantrell Field Airpor (CWS)
- Highest injury
- Fatal
- Fatal injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna P210N
- N-number
- N887JA
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1981
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- UNK
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.