Cessna T210M accident near Soda Springs, California, August 17, 1990
On August 17, 1990 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna T210M, registered N732VS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Soda Springs, California. It was a personal 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
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO INADEQUATE VAPOR RECOVERY SYSTEM (INADEQUATE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE/SERVICE) AND INCORRECT FUEL GRADE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 1990 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Soda Springs, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N732VS · no longer on the register · serial 21061814
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF A CESSNA T-210-M EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE. THE PILOT STATED HE HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH FUEL DELIVERY SINCE THE INSTALLATION OF A FACTORY REBUILT ENGINE 14 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE DEALING WITH VAPOR PROBLEMS. OPTIONAL CESSNA SERVICE KIT SK-210-99A (FUEL SYSTEM VENT LINE MODIFICATION) HAD NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. FUEL SAMPLE TESTING DETERMINED THE FUEL DID NOT MEET ASTM D910 REQUIREMENTS FOR AVIATION GASOLINE. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF COMPLIANCE WITH A.D. 80-04-09 (FUEL SYSTEM VAPOR CONTROL).
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
- Flight time: 2,060 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 2,060 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSI-0520-R4 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SQL San Carlos CA at 7:53 pm
- Destination: TRK Truckee CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,000 ft; not recorded
- 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.