Pilot Debrief

CESSNA P210N near Arcadia, FL — 2010-03-03

Final reportERA10LA159
Sign in to save
Date
2010-03-03
Location
Arcadia, FL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA P210N
Registration
N4797K
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft resulting from worn bearings.

NTSB narrative

About 25 minutes into a cross-country flight, the airplane lost all engine power, and the pilot made an emergency landing in a field. The airplane collided with a power line pole and was consumed by a postcrash fire. Disassembly and examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft separated at the forward end of the No. 2 connecting rod journal. According to laboratory analysis, the fatigue fracture of the crankshaft was due to bearing wear and bearing shift. The maintenance records were destroyed by the postcrash fire, and no other history on the engine was obtained.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked engine performance before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 13 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents13

Related mishaps