# NTSB ATL90FA111: Cessna P206, N220P, Liberty, NC, May 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1990, 21:37 local (May 9, 1990, 01:37 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, NC
- Coordinates: 35.849739, -79.570976 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8497&lon=-79.5710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8129
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA111
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8129/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA111

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO IMPROPER REPAIRS TO, AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF, THE INDUCTION AIR BOX. THE NIGHT LIGHT CONDITION WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - induction air control/system - improper (cause)
  - induction air control/system - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - induction air control/system - worn (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - induction air control/system - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - bright night (contributing factor)
  - object - other

## Analysis

THE PILOT RADIOED HE WAS LOSING POWER AND ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS WHO OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE AS IT APPROACHED AN OVERPASS, THE PILOT APPEARED TO HAVE PULLED UP TO AVOID POWER LINES, AND THEN COLLIDED WITH A TELEPHONE LINE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED ONTO A MEDIAN STRIP. THE INDUCTION AIR BOX DOOR SPRING WAS FOUND TO HAVE WORN COMPLETELY THROUGH THE ATTACH HOLE OF THE AIR BOX DOOR ARM. THE TOTAL SPRING LENGTH WAS 2.50 INCHES; ENGINEERING DRAWING SPECIFIES A SPRING LENGTH OF 3.66 INCHES. ALSO, THE THICKNESS OF THE ARM ITSELF WAS LESS THAN 50% OF THAT SPECIFIED BY THE DRAWING. THE BRACKET THAT THE OTHER END OF THE SPRING ATTACHES TO WAS MISLOCATED ABOUT 0.50 INCH FROM THE DRAWING DIMENSION. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BOX WAS FASTENED TOGETHER MOSTLY BY BLIND FASTENER RIVETS WHICH ARE NOT CALLED FOR ON THE DRAWING. IT WAS ALSO CAULKED WITH A SOFT SEALANT ALSO NOT CALLED FOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N220P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N220P-2007-02-08), registration cancelled 2007-02-08, S/N P206-0409, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206
- Registry model: [Cessna P206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206b) (registry code 2073309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P2060409
- Airframe hours: 2588
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John C. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1989, 33 hours before
- Departed: ASHEBORO, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 272 total, 83 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 200° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GSO, 25 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900508014739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900508014739A), May 8, 1990: Cessna P206B, Liberty, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power,struck wires over freeway on landing. Automatic induction air door failed. Improper repair and material.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.