Cessna T210M accident near Grape Creek, Texas, February 28, 2004
On February 28, 2004 at about 8:46 pm local time, a Cessna T210M, registered N50MC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grape Creek, Texas (San Angelo Regional Airport/Ma). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper in-flight planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 28, 2004 · about 8:46 pm local time
- Place
- Grape Creek, Texas · San Angelo Regional Airport/Ma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N50MC · registry record · serial 21062509
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 6,500-hour commercial pilot reported that prior to departing he had, "completed a preflight and checked all fuel tanks to make sure they were full." During the 580-nautical mile cross-country flight, while in cruise flight at 11, 000 feet msl, the pilot advised air traffic control that he was low on fuel and requested a straight-in approach to the airport. Approximately nine minutes later, during a descent in instrument meteorological conditions, the pilot informed air traffic control that the engine was "quitting" and, "we're out of gas... we're out of gas." The pilot regained visual contact approximately 1, 200 feet above the ground, and landed in a partially obstructed field. During the forced landing, the airplane collided with mesquite trees of various sizes. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing fuel tank contained approximately one cup of fuel, and that no fuel was observed in the left fuel tank. Both fuel caps were found secured and intact.
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: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,500 hours in all; 380 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 6,000 as pilot in command; 450 on instruments
- Last flight review: November 13, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,520 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 30, 2003; 140 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Butler Brothers And Cervi Rodeo Company
The flight
- Departed from: GXY Greeley CO at 4:40 pm
- Destination: SJT San Angelo TX
- Flight plan: IFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from SJT, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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 N50MC 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.