Cessna T210L accident near Pacoima, California, November 13, 2002
On November 13, 2002 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N76TL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pacoima, California (Whiteman airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power due the inadvertent unporting of the fuel pickup tube, which resulted in fuel starvation during the go-around. The pilot's preflight and in-flight decisions regarding fuel quantity and fuel system management are also causal.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 13, 2002 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Pacoima, California · Whiteman · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N76TL · registry record · serial 21061172
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On final approach for landing, the engine lost power and the pilot made a forced landing on a city street. The airplane struck trees, the ground, and a stopped car before coming to rest impaled on a pole at a corner auto sales lot. According to the owner, the airplane had about 20 gallons of fuel in each tank when he dropped off the airplane at the maintenance shop on October 19, 2002, for the 50-hour inspection, and historical experience showed the engine consumed 17.3 gallons per hour in cruise. The mechanic/pilot was conducting a flight test of the autopilot and turbocharger systems following a 50-hour inspection. He indicated that there was 40 gallons of fuel onboard the airplane prior to takeoff, and the test flight lasted about 45 minutes. He further reported that the left fuel tank gage read 1/4 tank, and the right fuel tank gage read between 1/4 and 1/2 tank. When the flight reached the cruise altitude of 16,000 feet, the pilot switched the fuel tank selector, but did not recall which tank he selected. About 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot told the passenger that they were low on fuel, but that it would be okay. The passenger noted that both fuel gages read less than 1/4 tank each at that time. The pilot tested the autopilot for 8 minutes and then returned to the airport for landing. Prior to entering the airport environment, the pilot switched the fuel selector to the fullest tank, which he believed was the right fuel tank. The first approach was too high and the pilot requested and received clearance to conduct a go-around in order to lose altitude. During the second approach, the engine quit. First responders to the accident site reported seeing fuel leaking from the engine area, and then a fire started. The airplane sustained fire damage to the cabin and aft engine areas, as well as both wings. The fuel selector was selected to the right fuel tank. A warning in the fuel systems description section of the manufacturer's approved flight manual states that with 1/4 full or less of fuel in the fuel tanks, prolonged uncoordinated flight (slips or skids) can cause the fuel tank outlets to become uncovered causing fuel starvation and engine stoppage. A post-accident airframe and engine inspection was conducted with no mechanical anomalies noted.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,700 hours in all; 220 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 2,500 as pilot in command; 235 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 1, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,151.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2002; 42.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Teledyne Continental TSIO-520-H (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: WHP Pacoima CA at 10:45 pm
- Destination: WHP Pacoima CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 12, 4,120 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 pm from VNY, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.