Accident
A Cessna T210M experienced an engine power loss at night approximately 15 miles south of Standiford Field in Louisville, Kentucky. The pilot executed a forced landing in trees. No fuel was discovered in the wreckage following the accident.
Background
The pilot had flown a Cessna 172 to Tampa to retrieve the Cessna T210M for a flight to Louisville. The T210M had been previously flown to Tampa from Fort Myers by its owner. During the preflight inspection, the pilot stated that he visually verified the fuel tanks were full. He then departed Tampa for Louisville.
Investigation
After the wreckage was recovered, an engine run was completed after adding fuel to the airplane's fuel system. The last confirmed refueling occurred at Fort Myers on November 2, 1988, when 16 gallons were added to top off the tanks.
Fuel Analysis
A calculation was made of the fuel required to complete a flight from Fort Myers to Tampa to Louisville. The results indicated that 86.3 gallons of fuel would have been required under optimum conditions. The usable fuel capacity of the airplane was 89 gallons.