Cessna 210L accident near Cleveland, Tennessee, March 19, 1995
On March 19, 1995 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Cessna 210L, registered N4618Q, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cleveland, Tennessee (Hardwick Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inaccurate fuel consumption calculations which resulted in fuel exhaustion during the final approach for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 19, 1995 · about 5:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cleveland, Tennessee · Hardwick Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210L · all 210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N4618Q · no longer on the register · serial 21059518
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A VISUAL APPROACH, THE PILOT TOLD HIS PASSENGERS TO HOLD ON. THE PASSENGERS REPORTED THAT A HIGH SINK RATE DEVELOPED, AND THE ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND TO AN ATTEMPT TO INCREASE POWER. THE AIRPLANE HIT TREES AND THE GROUND, BEFORE REACHING THE RUNWAY, WHICH BROKE OPEN THE WING FUEL TANKS. THE AIRPORT MANAGER REPORTED NO ODOR OF FUEL WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. ONE PASSENGER SAID THAT FUEL HAD BEEN LEAKING FROM THE RIGHT WING. AFTER THE WRECKAGE WAS RECOVERED, NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM HEADER TANKS. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATED, DURING ITS EXAMINATION, AFTER IT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,412 hours in all; 90 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 8, 1994
- Maximum gross weight: 3,400 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: BTR Baton Rouge LA at 1:30 pm
- Destination: HDI TN
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 21, 3,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from CHA, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.