Cessna T210N accident near Delano, California, August 11, 1993
On August 11, 1993 at about 9:49 pm local time, a Cessna T210N, registered N300GW, was substantially damaged in an accident near Delano, California (Delano Municipal airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and his failure to refuel the aircraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 1993 · about 9:49 pm local time
- Place
- Delano, California · Delano Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N300GW · no longer on the register · serial 21063209
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that prior to departure from Delano he checked the fuel gauges to determine the amount of fuel on board the aircraft. The pilot said he did not visually examine the tank levels or use a dip stick to quantify the fuel level. The pilot then flew from Delano to Sacramento for a business meeting. While on the ground in Sacramento, the aircraft was not refueled. The pilot then flew back to Delano and was in the landing pattern when the engine quit while turning from down wind to base. The aircraft landed short of the runway in a field and nosed over in soft soil. After the accident, it was determined that another individual in the company had flown the aircraft the day before for about 1.5 hours and had not refueled the aircraft when it was parked. FAA inspectors examined the aircraft. Fuel system continuity was established throughout the aircraft, with no leaks or ruptures found. Both fuel tanks were empty.
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: 1,063 hours in all; 354 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days; 837 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,176 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, July 23, 1993; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R93 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SAC Sacramento CA at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 5,650 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.