Cessna 210D accident near West Fargo, North Dakota, August 10, 2021
On August 10, 2021 at about 8:45 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 210D, registered N3944Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near West Fargo, North Dakota (West Fargo Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 10, 2021 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- West Fargo, North Dakota · West Fargo Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210D, built 1964 · all 210Ds on the register
- Registration
- N3944Y · registry record · serial 21058444
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was performing a go-around at the destination airport when the airplane lost total engine power and subsequently impacted terrain. Postaccident examination revealed useable fuel in the left-wing fuel tank, and no useable fuel in the right fuel tank. The fuel selector was positioned to the left-wing fuel tank. The fuel vent system was unobstructed. The examination revealed little fuel in the fuel system from the fuel selector to the engine, which was consistent with fuel starvation. The fuel sender resistance values for the left-wing tank indicated that erroneous fuel quantity values would have been displayed at the cockpit fuel gauges. There were no anomalies that would have precluded normal engine operation. Based on the available information, it is likely that the loss of engine power was the result of fuel starvation when the pilot exhausted the fuel supply in the right-wing tank. Although the fuel selector was found selected to the tank that contained fuel, it is likely that the pilot switched fuel tanks following the loss of engine power.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 313.4 hours in all; 175.2 in this make and model; 17.7 in the last 90 days; 1.6 in the last 30 days; 242.4 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 30, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-520-A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KOMA Omaha NE at 1:28 pm
- Destination: D54 Fargo ND
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 18, 3,300 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 19 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.68 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from KFAR, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFAR 102053Z 26019G30KT 10SM CLR 31/07 A2968 RMK AO2 PK WND 26031/2011 SLP046 T03110072 58021
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on April 5, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Case Notes | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Wreckage Examination | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.