What happened
On November 19, 2015, a Cessna T210N experienced a total loss of engine power while the pilot was performing an emergency approach to land at Brackett Field in La Verne, California. The flight, which was part of an aerial surveying mission, had originated from Camarillo Airport.
Prior to the accident, the pilot had been flying in the San Diego area and noted that the fuel quantity was lower than anticipated. With approximately 40 minutes of flight time remaining, the pilot decided to divert to Brackett Field. Before the approach, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the left tank, which contained approximately 6 to 7 gallons, while the right tank held about 4 to 5 gallons.
During the final approach, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine without success. While attempting to glide toward the closest runway, the left wing of the N91HC struck a sign that had not been previously observed. The aircraft then dove toward the ground, and the pilot exited through the windshield just before the airplane erupted in flames. The aircraft came to rest approximately 620 feet east of runway 26R. The pilot sustained one serious injury, and there were no fatalities.
The investigation
An examination of the engine and airframe by the FAA and a mechanic found no evidence of mechanical malfunction or failure. While the left wing was separated from the airframe and the engine sustained some crushing to the cylinder fins, internal inspections of the cylinders via borescope showed no anomalies. The turbo-charger was found to be undamaged and rotated freely. The magnetos and spark plugs also showed no mechanical issues.
Due to the intensity of the post-impact fire, the fuel system could not be fully inspected, and investigators were unable to establish continuity from the wing to the engine-driven fuel pump. Although investigators recovered approximately 2.25 gallons of fuel from the right wing, the presence of water in the sample could not be definitively linked to the fuel supply due to the use of fire-extinguishing foam at the scene.
Findings
Calculations performed by a manufacturer representative suggested that, if the aircraft had departed with full tanks, approximately 21 gallons of fuel should have remained at the time of the accident. However, because the fire prevented a thorough examination of the fuel system and the exact fuel quantity on board, the specific reason for the engine power loss could not be determined.