Cessna T210N accident near Carefree, Arizona, March 22, 2005
On March 22, 2005 at about 8:50 pm local time, a Cessna T210N, registered N6897N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Carefree, Arizona (Sky Ranch At Carefree, Arizona airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's improper use of the fuel boost pump contrary to the procedures specified in the pilot owner handbook and other documents.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 2005 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Carefree, Arizona · Sky Ranch At Carefree, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured and 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N6897N · no longer on the register · serial 21063159
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane hit the ground short of the runway following a failure of the engine to respond to throttle command on short final approach. The pilot said that on short final with the landing gear down and full flaps, the airplane started settling. The pilot added power and the engine failed to respond. The pilot said that it was his habit to use the low fuel boost pump for landing even though the Pilot Owner Handbook (POH) did not call for it. In the POH section 7, Airplane and System Descriptions, it shares an information note: "If the engine-driven fuel pump is functioning and the auxiliary fuel pump switch is placed in the ON position, an excessively rich fuel/air ratio is produced unless the mixture is leaned." With the low (yellow) boost pump switch on during a reduced power approach, if the throttle is increased the boost pump goes to high and the engine can be flooded with an excessive rich mixture. According to the Cessna Pilot Safety and Warning Supplements booklet under Fuel Pressure Switch Operation/Normal Auxiliary Fuel Pump Operation, it states in part: "During cruise, the auxiliary fuel pump(s) may be used at any time to clear excessive fuel vapor, as evidenced by an unstable fuel flow indication; however; the auxiliary fuel pump(s) should be turned off prior to descent. Failure to turn off the pump(s) could cause a power failure at reduced throttle settings or with a rapid throttle advance due to an excessively rich mixture, especially if the throttle switch rigging or fuel pressure switch settings are out of tolerance." No anomalies were found during an examination that would have precluded the engine from functioning normally.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 779 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 732 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,258 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2004; 143 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SOW Show Low AZ at 7:30 pm
- Destination: 18AZ Carefree AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,030 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 pm from PHX, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 2 |
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.