Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's mismanagement of available fuel and incorrect use of the fuel boost pump which resulted in a total loss of engine power at a low altitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot departed for a nearby private airstrip for an expected 12-minute flight. During cruise flight, at 500 feet above the ground , the left fuel tank was low on fuel so the pilot switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank. After the engine began to "sputter," the pilot turned on the fuel boost pump; however, the problem continued until the engine lost power. He then elected to conduct a forced landing into a field. During the landing, the landing gear touched down on the wet ground, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank contained an undetermined amount of fuel. There was no evidence of any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's application of the fuel boost pump likely flooded the engine with fuel after switching fuel tanks, causing the engine to lose power.
Source record
Factual narrative
On November 27, 2013, about 1410 central standard time, a Cessna 210L airplane, N21ME, conducted a forced landing into a field after a total loss of engine power near Lake Providence, Louisiana. The commercial was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by Montrose Air, Inc., under the provision of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan. The flight originated from Scott Airport (M80), Tallulah, Louisiana at 1400 and was destined for Oak Grove, Louisiana. The pilot departed from M80 and was cruising at 500 feet above the ground. The left fuel tank was low on fuel so he switched the fuel selector to the right fuel tank. The engine began to "sputter" so he turned on the fuel boost pump. The "engine continued to sputter [and] then shut off." He conducted a forced landing into a field. During the landing, the landing gear touched down on the wet and muddy ground and the airplane nosed over. An examination of the airplane was conducted by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The examination revealed that the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank contained an undetermined amount of fuel. He did not observe any mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The inspector received information from the engine manufacturer that if the boost pump were turn on in this situation it could flood the engine with fuel.