Cessna T-210-M accident near Clearfield, Pennsylvania, August 22, 1991
On August 22, 1991 at about 8:39 pm local time, a Cessna T-210-M, registered N732YB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Clearfield, Pennsylvania (Clearfield/Lawrence). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
VAPOR LOCK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM RESULTING IN FUEL STARVATION. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE OWNER TO COMPLY WITH A SERVICE LETTER CALLING FOR INSULATED FUEL LINES FORWARD OF THE FIRE WALL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 22, 1991 · about 8:39 pm local time
- Place
- Clearfield, Pennsylvania · Clearfield/Lawrence · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T-210-M · all T-210-Ms on the register
- Registration
- N732YB · registry record · serial 21061871
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AT 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF. HE MADE A FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY AND STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE FAA WAS ABLE TO RUN THE ENGINE. AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL LINE REVEALED AIR BUBBLES. A CESSNA SERVICE LETTER HAD NOT BEEN COMPILED WITH THAT RECOMMENDED MODIFICATIONS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM TO PREVENT VAPOR LOCK PROBLEMS. THE PILOT WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH FUEL SYSTEM VAPOR LOCK.
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: 800 hours in all; 100 in this make and model; 63 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 760 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, January 2, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520-R (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Kephart Trucking CO
The flight
- Destination: BVI Beaver Falls PA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.