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Casualties unknown

Forced Landing After Fuel Exhaustion on Snow-Covered Mesa (N212CS)

Larkspur, CO, US

On March 31, 1992, a Cessna T210N (registration N212CS) operated by Electrosolve Services was involved in an aviation accident near Larkspur, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE DUE TO HIS REDUCED FORWARD VISIBILITY. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, HIS FAILURE TO PROCEED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING SNOW, FOG, AND… This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot and three passengers en route to Denver declared an emergency and made a forced landing atop a snow-covered mesa. A surviving passenger reported hearing they were out of gas, and only a small amount of fuel remained.

Flight Details

The pilot and three passengers departed Santa Ana, California, at 0816 Pacific Standard Time on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan to Tucumcari, New Mexico. During the flight, the pilot changed the destination to Denver, Colorado.

Emergency Declaration

At 1416 Mountain Standard Time, while being radar vectored to intercept the localizer course for Centennial Airport's Runway 35R, the pilot declared an emergency. A surviving passenger reported hearing someone state that the aircraft was out of fuel.

Forced Landing

The pilot attempted a forced landing atop a snow-covered mesa. The landing gear was extended, but the flaps were retracted when the aircraft impacted the terrain.

Fuel Remaining

Following the accident, an estimated one cup of fuel remained in the fuel tanks. Additionally, approximately two tablespoons of fuel was drained from the fuel line between the fuel pump and gascolator.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Mar 1992 Cessna T210N accident near Larkspur, CO?

A pilot and three passengers en route to Denver declared an emergency and made a forced landing atop a snow-covered mesa. A surviving passenger reported hearing they were out of gas, and only a small amount of fuel remained.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Mar 1992 involved a Cessna T210N, registration N212CS, operated by Electrosolve Services, at Larkspur, CO.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE DUE TO HIS REDUCED FORWARD VISIBILITY. FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, HIS FAILURE TO PROCEED TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT, FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS INCLUDING SNOW, FOG, AND OBSCURATION.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X14273. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.