Cessna P210 accident near Myerstown, Pennsylvania, December 8, 2018
On December 8, 2018 at about 6:14 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna P210, registered N731LT, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Myerstown, Pennsylvania (Deck 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
- December 8, 2018 · about 6:14 pm local time
- Place
- Myerstown, Pennsylvania · Deck · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210 N, built 1979 · all P210s on the register
- Registration
- N731LT · registry record · serial P21000436
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying the airplane to a nearby airport to obtain fuel. Before departing on the flight, he checked the fuel quantity using the onboard fuel totalizer and determined that both fuel gauges indicated adequate fuel for the intended flight. During the landing approach at the destination, the engine lost total power and the airplane impacted terrain short of the runway. The pilot reported that the loss of power was due to fuel starvation. A witness at the airport reported that the airplane made a "very sharp left-banking turn" as it flew overhead, then climbed steeply and made another sharp left turn to enter the traffic pattern for landing. Examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies with the flight control system that would have prevented normal operation. No evidence of fuel was found in the engine-driven fuel pump filter; the filter was clean. There was no evidence of fuel in the lines between the engine-driven pump and engine gas producer. Before recovery from the accident site, less than 1 gallon of fuel was drained from the left wing tanks and less than 4 gallons of fuel was drained from the right wing fuel tanks. The pilot’s operating handbook for the airplane stated that, when the fuel tanks were 1/4-full or less, prolonged uncoordinated flight, such as slips or skids, could uncover the fuel tank outlets, causing fuel starvation and engine stoppage. It is likely that given the airplane’s low fuel state, the abrupt maneuvers caused the fuel outlets to become uncovered, resulting in fuel starvation to the engine and a total 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 control in flight during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Fuel related during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Fuel planning › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,076 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 20, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 2,303 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Allison 250-B17F2 (turboshaft); 2,630 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S37 Smoketown PA
- Destination: 9D4 Myerstown PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 3,786 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 4,400 ft; a few clouds at 3,100 ft
- Temperature: 19°F (-7°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.45 inHg
- Observation at 5:56 pm from KMUI, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N731LT the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.