# NTSB ATL92LA073: Cessna 210, N7320E, Florence, SC, April 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1992, 17:43 local (22:43 UTC)
- Place: Florence, SC
- Coordinates: 34.180801, -79.780883 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1808&lon=-79.7809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8582
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8582/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA073

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE ENGINE COUNTERWEIGHT RETENTION RINGS WHICH RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF THE RETENTION PIN, ALLOWING THE LEADING EDGE OF THE COUNTERWEIGHT TO STRIKE THE CRANKCASE. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE SUBSEQENT LOSS OF POWER AND THE SOFT FIELD.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - eng assembly,crankshaft counterweights/vib damper - not secured (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 5000 FEET MSL, THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT FOR A FORCED LANDING IN A NEARBY FIELD. UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE WHEEL DUG INTO THE PLOWED FIELD AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. THE ENGINE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE NO. 3 AND NO. 4 CONNECTING RODS WERE BROKEN AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE CRANKCASE ADJACENT TO THE #4 CYLINDER. THE ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT 2 COUNTERWEIGHT RETENTION RINGS HAD BEEN DISLODGED FROM THEIR NORMALLY INSTALLED POSITIONS. THE EXAMINATION ALSO REVEALED THAT THE RETENTION RINGS WERE INSTALLED WITH THE BEVELLED SIDE OF THE RING OUTBOARD AND THE FLAT SIDE INBOARD. ACCORDING TO THE ENGINE OVERHAUL MANUAL, THE FLAT SIDE OF THE RETENTION RINGS SHOULD BE INSTALLED OUTBOARD. THE REMAINING RETENTION RINGS WERE INSTALLED PROPERLY. HISTORICAL MAINTENANCE INFORMATION ON THE COUNTERWEIGHT WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7320E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7320E-1994-10-13), registration cancelled 1994-10-13, S/N 57020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57020
- Airframe hours: 2800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Held, Daniel Z.
- Registered owner: Held, Daniel Z.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1991, 10 hours before
- Destination: JAX, JACKSONVILLE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 33 in this make and model, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO, 1 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 19920403008829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920403008829A), Apr 3, 1992: Cessna 210, Florence, SC, Substantial damage. Lost power. Nosed over in plowed field. Improperly installed counter weight retention rings led to engine blowup.

## Other investigations on N7320E (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC75FGM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FGM16), Oct 28, 1974: Cessna 210 (N7320E), Johnstown, PA, substantial damage

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.

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