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Forced Landing Due to Fuel Exhaustion During Descent (N50RD)

West Bend, WI, US

On July 9, 1993, a Cessna 210 (registration N50RD) was involved in an aviation accident near West Bend, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft experienced a loss of engine power while descending toward its destination, resulting in a forced landing on soft and uneven terrain. Post-accident inspection revealed only one quart of fuel remained in the tanks.

What happened

The flight encountered an unexpected loss of engine power while it was on descent to its intended destination. The crew was forced to execute a landing on soft, uneven terrain due to the inability to maintain altitude or reach the airport.

Findings

A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed that only one quart of fuel remained in the system. There was no evidence of preexisting leaks from the fuel system, tanks, or fuel caps. The investigation determined that neither pilot had opened the fuel caps and inspected the quantity prior to departure.

The primary contributing factor was fuel exhaustion. The failure to verify fuel levels before takeoff led directly to the power loss and subsequent forced landing.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 210 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Jul 1993 Cessna 210 accident near West Bend, WI?

An aircraft experienced a loss of engine power while descending toward its destination, resulting in a forced landing on soft and uneven terrain. Post-accident inspection revealed only one quart of fuel remained in the tanks.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Jul 1993 involved a Cessna 210, registration N50RD, at West Bend, WI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate fuel supply for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X12841. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.