On August 11, 1996, a Cessna 210E (registration N4963U) was involved in an aviation accident near Clarksville, MO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: fuel starvation for undetermined reason(s). Factors relating to the accident were: the crop, and the uphill terrain condition in the emergency landing area. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported engine roughness and dropping fuel flow one hour into flight. Forced landing in uphill field resulted in nose gear separation. Investigation revealed left fuel tank empty while right tank contained fuel, and fuel selector was on left tank.
Incident Overview
A pilot conducted a flight after topping off the fuel tanks the previous day. Approximately one hour into the flight, the engine began running rough, and the fuel flow indicator dropped to 4 gallons per hour. The pilot attempted to restore engine operation by switching fuel tanks, enriching the mixture, and activating the boost pump. These actions resulted in a momentary increase in fuel pressure before it dropped again.
Forced Landing
Unable to maintain engine power, the pilot executed a forced landing in a field described as uphill. During the landing, the nose gear separated from the airplane.
Post-Accident Inspection
An examination of the aircraft revealed that the left fuel tank was empty, while the right fuel tank was between one-half and three-quarters full. The fuel selector was positioned on the left tank. No mechanical discrepancies were identified in the engine or fuel system that could have caused the loss of power.