Cessna T210L accident near Gig Harbor, Washington, April 2, 2003
On April 2, 2003 at about 9:57 pm local time, a Cessna T210L, registered N701TM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Gig Harbor, Washington (Tacoma Narrows airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of power for undetermined reasons during base turn.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 2, 2003 · about 9:57 pm local time
- Place
- Gig Harbor, Washington · Tacoma Narrows · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210L · all T210Ls on the register
- Registration
- N701TM · no longer on the register · serial 21060885
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The check flight pilot departed the Tacoma Narrows airport in the Cessna T210L on a maintenance test flight due to a previous power loss. Approximately 15 minutes into the check flight the engine quit and although the pilot was able to momentarily regain power the aircraft was ditched about one mile west of the departure airport. Post-accident examination revealed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction with the aircraft's powerplant or its fuel system. Uncontaminated fuel was found in both the fuel strainer, fuel hoses and fuel flow divider. A post-accident test run of the aircraft's engine was completed and aside from a slightly rich mixture condition, the engine appeared to run satisfactorily.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 3,900 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 3,500 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 20, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,582 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 27, 2003; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520H (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TIW Tacoma WA at 9:40 pm
- Destination: TIW Tacoma WA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 7,500 ft; scat at 4,900 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.56 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from TIW, 1 miles away
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.