Cessna T210N accident near Sunnyside, Washington, July 22, 1996
On July 22, 1996 at about 8:30 am local time, a Cessna T210N, registered N6439N, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sunnyside, Washington. It was a positioning 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
inadequate preflight by the pilot, and subsequent fuel exhaustion. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, and high vegetation (brush and small trees) in the emergency landing area.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 1996 · about 8:30 am local time
- Place
- Sunnyside, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
- Registration
- N6439N · registry record · serial 21063015
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to a fueler, the aircraft was serviced to 32 gallons of fuel in the left wing tank; however, the right tank was not refueled. The aircraft was then flown to Portland (inflight duration approximately 50 minutes). Shortly after landing, it departed without refueling. Approaching the destination, the engine began surging, and the pilot switched to the right fuel tank, after which, a total power loss occurred. A gear-up landing was made at night (after about 52 minutes of flight). During the landing, the aircraft collided with low, brushy trees. Post-crash examination of the aircraft revealed no fuel in either tank and no odor of fuel at the site. Additionally, the right wing tank fuel cap was missing as was its attach chain, and there were no fuel stains on the wing nor any scratch marks or abrasions in the vicinity of the fuel cap fitting.
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: 5,081 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 80 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 2,720 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,260 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 2, 1995; 65 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental TSIO-520 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PDX Portland OR at 7:38 am
- Destination: 1S5 Sunnyside WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 am from YKM
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.