NTSB Factual Report

On September 1, 2007, about 1233 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N5479A, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight. The pilot made a forced landing in a parking lot about 1/4-mile short of the Reid-Hillview Airport of Santa Clara County, San Jose, California. The airplane collided with trees during the approach to runway 31R and was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The pilot owned and operated the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Palm Springs, California, about 1015.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that his intended destination was Hayward, California. All engine power was suddenly lost about 10 minutes prior to arriving at Hayward. The pilot reported that he repositioned the fuel selector from the left fuel tank, which had run dry, to the right fuel tank that he believed contained an estimated 10 to 15 gallons of fuel. The nearest airport to the airplane's location was Reid-Hillview, and the pilot diverted toward that airport. Engine power was not restored while descending during the forced landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel supply that resulted in fuel starvation.