Cessna T210M N6584B accident near Hanford, California

Probable cause

A loss of engine power during descent due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to use the correct fuel flow performance chart.

NTSB analysis

While the pilot was descending toward an alternate airport because his fuel level was becoming lower than he was comfortable with, the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power because the selected fuel tank ran dry. Although he tried to restart the engine, the pilot failed to switch tanks during the restart attempt and was therefore unsuccessful. He ultimately made a forced landing in an open field with rough terrain, and one wing came in contact with the surface during the landing roll. It was later determined that the other fuel tank contained about eight gallons of fuel. It was also determined that the pilot had been using the fuel flow charts provided with the airplane at the time of manufacture, instead of the updated charts that should have been used after the engine underwent a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) performance modification that resulted in higher fuel flows.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR09LA214 for the full record.