Cessna T210 accident near Chandler, Arizona, July 17, 1989
On July 17, 1989 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Cessna T210, registered N761JA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Chandler, Arizona (Municipal airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
INADEQUAT PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND THE IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, IE. IMPROPER FUEL CONSUMPTION CALCULATIONS, BY THE PIC.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 1989 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona · Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210 · all T210s on the register
- Registration
- N761JA · no longer on the register · serial 210-62283
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A FERRY PERMIT DUE TO THE COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON A PREVIOUS FLIGHT WHEN THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR DID NOT EXTEND AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED ON ITS NOSE AND LEFT GEAR. AFTER TEMPORARY REPAIRS, 20 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE PUT IN THE LEFT TANK FOR A TOTAL OF 35 GALLONS FOR THE FERRY FLIGHT. THE RIGHT TANK WAS EMPTY. THE FERRY FLIGHT WAS BEING MADE WITH THE GEAR DOWN AND WITHOUT ELECTRICAL POWER. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS VERY CLOSE TO THE DESTINATION AIRPORT, THE ENGINE CEASED TO PRODUCE POWER AND DURING THE FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED HARD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED NO FUEL IN THE TANKS.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,230 hours in all; 1,038 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Desert Aircraft Sales
The flight
- Departed from: P06 Bullhead City AZ at 7:40 pm
- Destination: P10 Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 4,395 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.