On November 16, 2005, a Cessna T210M (registration N6029N) operated by Patrick M. Gibbons was involved in an aviation accident near Salt Lake City, UT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's improper in-flight decision not to use the before landing checklist. A factor which contributed to the accident was the improper position of the mixture control. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a turn from base to final, a pilot experienced an engine power loss after leaning the mixture and not using the before-landing checklist. The aircraft impacted ground 150 feet short of runway and nosed over.
Accident Details
An aircraft on approach to its destination airport experienced a loss of engine power during the turn from base leg to final. The pilot had previously leaned the mixture during en route flight. As the pilot noticed a decreasing airspeed during the turn, he advanced the throttle forward but received no response, and the engine subsequently lost power.
Sequence of Events
In response to the power loss, the pilot retracted the flaps from 20 degrees to the full up position to extend the glide. The aircraft then impacted the ground approximately 150 feet from the approach end of the runway and nosed over. The pilot stated that the mixture control was not set to the FULL RICH position for landing and that he did not use the BEFORE LANDING checklist, which instructs setting the mixture to RICH.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the aircraft, including an engine run, revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operations.