Cessna 210M accident near Pasco, Washington, May 4, 2023
On May 4, 2023 at about 1:35 am local time, a 1977 Cessna 210M, registered N777CF, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Pasco, Washington (Tri-Cities 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
Improper maintenance on the fuel outlet line to the fuel servo, which resulted in the line partially separating from the fuel outlet fitting and the subsequent fuel starvation and total loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 2023 · about 1:35 am local time
- Place
- Pasco, Washington · Tri-Cities Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210M, built 1977 · all 210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N777CF · registry record · serial 21062059
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was returning the airplane to its home airport after completion of a 100-hour inspection, an annual inspection, and additional maintenance that was required due to the improper installation of the battery. While on the base leg for landing, the engine lost total power. The pilot initiated an off-airport emergency landing and during the rollout, the airplane contacted road signs, which substantially damaged the left and right wings and the right horizontal stabilizer. Recorded engine data revealed consistent operation of the engine throughout the flight until about 1-minute before the loss of data, when the data indicated a total loss of power. Examination of the engine revealed the fuel outlet line to the fuel servo was loose on the fuel outlet fitting, which resulted in fuel starvation of the engine. When the improper maintenance to the fuel line occurred could not be determined; the recent maintenance performed on the engine did not require removal of the fuel outlet line.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Fuel starvation during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Maintenance personnel
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel distribution › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: private, recreational
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,666 hours in all; 72.8 in this make and model; 15.6 in the last 90 days; 8.4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: April 20, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,230.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 3, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520L-46B (piston); 176 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RLD Richland WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 21L, 4,423 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.52 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KPSC
Weather report (METAR): KPSC 040153Z 34007KT 4SM HZ CLR 30/14 A2952 RMK AO2 SLP994 T03000144
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on November 7, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 16 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Airframe and Engine Examination Final Report | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memo for Record Engine Examination #1 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe and Engine Examination Number 2 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Engine Data Monitor MVP-50 Data | data file | Download |
| 7 | Interviews | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Maintenance Manual for Removal of Alternator | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Record of Conversation Owner | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.