Cessna 210 accident near San Rafael, California, November 20, 2012
On November 20, 2012 at about 7:20 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 210, registered N3919Y, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near San Rafael, California (San Rafael Airport). It was a personal flight 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
The loss of engine power during initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 20, 2012 · about 7:20 pm local time
- Place
- San Rafael, California · San Rafael Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210 D, built 1964 · all 210s on the register
- Registration
- N3919Y · no longer on the register · serial 21058419
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Before departure, the pilot confirmed the fuel level by measuring the quantity of each tank, which totaled 6 gallons in the left tank and 23 gallons in the right tank. The fuel selector was placed in the right tank position for takeoff. After taking off to the northeast and when about 500 feet above ground level during the initial climb, the engine experienced a total loss of power. The pilot switched on both boost pumps, moved the fuel selector back and forth between tanks several times, and attempted to restart the engine; however, the engine did not regain power. The pilot subsequently made a forced landing to a marsh. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right forward area of the fuselage, which resulted in the right fuel reservoir tank being ruptured; neither fuel tank was breached. Recovery personnel reported that they drained 1 gallon of aviation fuel from the left fuel tank and that the fuel selector switch was in the right tank position. Postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A postaccident test run of the engine was accomplished with no anomalies noted. After the engine run was completed, the airplane's left and left fuel supply systems were examined. The examination revealed that there were no blockages or ruptures to the left fuel supply system and that the right fuel reservoir tank rupture permitted whatever fuel was present in the right fuel tank to drain from the system after the accident. The reason for the reported total loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Power plant › (general) › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,123 hours in all; 113 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 14 in the last 30 days; 2,034 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 29, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,949 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 2012; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-A (32) (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CA35 San Rafael CA at 7:20 pm
- Destination: CIC Chico CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04, 2,140 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 15 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,800 ft; not recorded at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from DVO, 7 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.