Cessna P210N accident near Georgetown, Texas, March 29, 2009
On March 29, 2009 at about 11:45 pm local time, a Cessna P210N, registered N210BF, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Georgetown, Texas (Georgetown Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's inadequate fuel management. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper engine restart procedures.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 29, 2009 · about 11:45 pm local time
- Place
- Georgetown, Texas · Georgetown Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210N · all P210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N210BF · no longer on the register · serial P21000688
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was preparing to land when the engine lost power. He attempted to perform a forced landing to a road west of the airport. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and then the road resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. An examination of the airplane revealed that the left main fuel tank was empty; however, the right main fuel tank and tip tank contained fuel. According to a telephone conversation with the pilot, during his pre landing preparation he noted that the left fuel tank was "low" and switched from the left fuel tank to the right fuel tank. Shortly thereafter he noted that the engine had lost power. He attempted to restart the engine by turning the auxiliary fuel pump on and "cranking" the engine. According to the emergency procedures section in the Pilot's Operating Handbook the correct in-flight engine restart procedure requires the pilot to maintain 85 knots indicated airspeed, check fuel quantity, switch the fuel selector to the fullest tank, mixture set to rich, auxiliary pump to the "on" position for three to five seconds with the throttle open, then off, ignition switch to both, and advance the throttle slowly. An examination of the airplane fuel system revealed no contaminants and no anomalies. An examination and test run of the engine revealed no anomalies. The engine data monitoring unit showed a loss of fuel flow prior to the accident.
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
What happened, in order
- Fuel starvation during approach defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during approach
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › (general) › Contributed to outcome
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 180 hours in all; 25 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 180 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,780.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 22, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 4,016 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GTU Georgetown TX at 10:50 pm
- Destination: George Town TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:07 am from KGTU
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.