# NTSB ATL97LA099: Cessna P210N, N222WE, Destin, FL, July 6, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 6, 1997, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Destin, FL - Coordinates: 30.400508, -86.490234 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4005&lon=-86.4902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3870 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3870/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA099 ## Probable cause a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,other - chafed - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated that they were on the initial climbout, between 500 and 800 feet, when the engine developed a partial loss of power. When the engine RPM dropped to 1500, the pilot realized that he could not return to the shore line for an emergency landing. During the examination of the engine, a stainless steel flex fuel line was against the induction elbow on the left side of the engine. There was a hole in the induction elbow at the point where the braided fuel line crossed over the intake manifold. During the functional examination of the induction elbow, the left induction elbow, with the hole, was installed on another IO-520 engine, and the engine was mounted in an engine test cell. A functional run of the engine disclosed that the manifold pressure at full power was the same as the manifold pressure at full power for an induction elbow without a hole. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 1997, at 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N222WE, collided with the water during an emergency landing following what the pilot reported as a loss of engine power after takeoff from the Destin/Fort Walton Beach Airport in Destin, Florida. The pilot stated that the personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with an instrument flight plan filed. The pilot said visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The on site examination of the airplane by a mechanic disclosed that the airframe had sustained substantial airframe damage. The pilot reported that he and his passenger received minor injuries. The pilot said that the accident occurred during the initial climb out from Destin, Florida. The pilot stated that they were on the initial climb out, between 500 and 800 feet, when the engine developed a partial loss of power. When the engine RPM dropped to 1500, the pilot realized that he could not return to the shore line for an emergency landing. The pilot ditched the airplane in the Gulf Of Mexico. The pilot stated that they were rescued by jet skiers in the vicinity of the accident site. Several days after the accident, the aircraft was recovered from the water. During the examination of the engine, a stainless steel flex fuel line was found against the induction elbow on the left side of the engine (see attached FAA Inspector's Statement). There was a hole in the induction elbow at the point where the braided fuel line crossed over the intake manifold. The initial examination disclosed that the internal engine components would not rotate. During the engine examination, there was no metallic debris found in the oil sump. All cylinders displayed deposits of rust like materials. The piston rings were partially stuck to the grooves of the pistons. All intake and exhaust valves were seated. The crankcase main bearings exhibited normal wear. Both magnetos assemblies exhibited corrosion damage to the housing and the internal components were exposed (see attached report of engine examination). The left induction elbow, with the hole, was installed on another IO-520 engine, and the engine was mounted on an engine test cell. A functional run of the engine disclosed that the manifold pressure at full power was the same as the manifold pressure at full power for an induction elbow without a hole. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222WE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222WE-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N P21000155, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 155 - Airframe hours: 2690 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520P 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Starvation Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 30, 1997, 37 hours before - Departed: DST - Destination: BCT, BOCA ROTAN, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 81J, Destin/Ft.Walton Beach ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 8,200 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: VPS ## 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 19970706016939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970706016939A), Jul 6, 1997: Cessna P210N, Destin, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Ditched in gulf. Hole in induction elbow but did not cause power loss. (-23) on 6 July 1997, at 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna… 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.