Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210L near Tampa, FL — 2010-06-09

Final reportERA10LA307
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Date
2010-06-09
Location
Tampa, FL, USA
Airport
TPA
Aircraft
CESSNA 210L
Registration
N2263S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The total loss of engine power due to inadequate torgue on the crankcase bolts. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate inspection performed 19.5 hours prior to the accident.

NTSB narrative

The airplane was climbing when the engine lost partial power. The pilot turned back toward the departure airport and the engine lost total power. During the subsequent forced landing, the airplane struck a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. Examination of the engine crankcase halves revealed fretting at the No. 2 main bearing saddle surfaces, which indicated insufficient clamping force during assembly due to inadequate torque on the bolts. The No. 2 main bearing was broken into pieces, which were observed in the oil sump. Examination of the crankshaft revealed a fatigue fracture that initiated in the fillet between the No. 2 main journal and the cheek at the aft end of the journal. The fatigue crack features observed in the No. 2 main bearing were secondary and were a result of high stresses on the bearing as it shifted. This most likely resulted from insufficient bearing crush due to insufficient clamping force on the crankcase saddle surfaces. According to the engine logbooks, a 100-hour maintenance inspection occurred 19.5 hours prior to the accident, which required a mechanic to verify that the crankcase bolts did not exhibit looseness.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have declared an emergency earlier after hearing the loud bang.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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