Cessna 210 N9589T accident near Salida, Colorado

Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate fuel management, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

NTSB analysis

The private pilot was landing the airplane at the conclusion of a cross-country flight when the engine experienced a total loss of power in the airport traffic pattern. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success and subsequently landed the airplane in a field, where it impacted a fence and irrigation equipment. The pilot stated the right fuel tank was selected at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination revealed that the right tank contained 14 to 15 gallons of fuel, and that the left fuel tank contained about 1 gallon of fuel. The fuel selector was in the right tank position. The engine functioned normally during a postaccident test run. Given the lack of engine anomalies, it is likely that the airplane was operating on the left tank at the time of the accident, and the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation; it is likely that the pilot moved the fuel selector to the right tank position during his attempt to restart the engine.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN17LA162 for the full record.