Accident Overview
On May 1, 2012, at approximately 1315 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T210L (registration N210LH) was substantially damaged after a forced landing about 7 nautical miles north of Elberta, Utah. The airplane had departed Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) at about 1245 on a local instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Events During Flight
The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the purpose of the instructional flight was to practice power-off stalls. Three stalls had been performed prior to the accident. During the fourth stall, as the pilot receiving instruction proceeded to recover, a loss of engine power was observed. The CFI took control and attempted to restart the engine by leaning the mixture, increasing throttle, turning on the boost pump, switching fuel tanks, and pumping the throttle, but the restart was unsuccessful.
The CFI declared an emergency with the PVU air traffic control tower and searched for a suitable landing field. During descent, the manifold pressure gauge rose to about 25 inches, but the tachometer did not respond. She continued restart attempts until the flare, with no success. The airplane landed with the landing gear extended in a flat, bumpy field. It subsequently rolled into a ravine and nosed over when the nose landing gear dug into soft dirt, resulting in substantial damage.
Injuries
The CFI was not injured, and the private pilot sustained serious injuries.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the engine was overseen by an FAA airworthiness aviation safety inspector. With a substitute propeller installed and an external fuel line connected, a normal engine start and run-up were performed from idle to medium power (not full power due to the airplane being on a trailer). The boost pump operation showed normal indications. The examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation.
Fuel Information
The pilot provided a fuel receipt dated April 30, 2012, indicating the airplane was topped off with 55.8 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. The pilot reported that the airplane had not been flown between the refueling and the accident flight.
Weather Conditions
At 1253, the Salt Lake International Airport (SLC), about 40 miles north, reported wind 140° at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 4,500 feet, scattered clouds at 7,000 feet, temperature 17°C, dew point 8°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.86 inches of mercury.
Fuel System Background
According to a Cessna Pilots Association Tech Note (No. 011) on vapor lock problems in 210 series aircraft (1964-1981 model years), Cessna Service Bulletin SE81-33 modified the fuel system to reduce vapor collection. FAA Airworthiness Directive 79-15-01 called for a placard with specific instructions for fuel flow fluctuations. The accident airplane had the required placard. It was not determined if the SE81-33 modification had been performed.