Cessna 210 accident near Rialto, California, December 30, 2003
On December 30, 2003 at about 7:19 am local time, a Cessna 210, registered N6539X, was substantially damaged in an accident near Rialto, California (Rialto airport). It was a personal flight 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
The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision by his fuel mismanagement and his delay in initiating remedial action which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 30, 2003 · about 7:19 am local time
- Place
- Rialto, California · Rialto · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210 · all 210s on the register
- Registration
- N6539X · no longer on the register · serial 57539
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with ground obstacles following a loss of engine power during a VFR go-around. During a 200-mile instrument cross-country flight, the pilot attempted to lean the mixture while climbing to an altitude of 10,000 feet; however, the engine would sputter and cough. The pilot chose to position the mixture in the "FULL RICH" position. Unable to climb to the appropriate altitude, the pilot canceled his IFR flight plan and continued VFR with flight following. About halfway through the flight, the right wing fuel gage was indicating empty, and though concerned about the apparent abnormal fuel consumption, the pilot decided to continue to his original destination. The fuel selector was then switched to the left fuel tank. At this time, the airplane was flying over several airports with maintenance and fueling facilities. Approaching the destination, the left fuel tank gage was indicating a low quantity and the pilot declared an emergency. The pilot attempted to land at a nearby airport but the airplane was too high and fast for landing. The engine lost power during a go-around attempt. Post accident examination did not reveal any fuel staining on the airplane. The vent lines and ports were unobstructed and the fuel tank filler cap seals were in good condition. Approximately 3 gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank; approximately 10.5 gallons were drained from the right fuel tank. According to the POH for the airplane, the total fuel system capacity is 65 gallons, with 5 gallons (2.5 for each tank) unusable. The fuel selector has three positions, OFF, LEFT, and RIGHT. The fuel selector was in the "LEFT" position at the accident site. Impact damage precluded functional testing of the engine and the fuel metering unit. Fueling records established that the airplane was filled to capacity before flight.
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: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 21, 2003
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VGT Las Vegas NV at 6:50 am
- Destination: CNO Chino CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 24, 4,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 10,000 ft; clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 am from CNO, 17 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.