# NTSB BFO85LA031: Cessna U206F, N1803Q, Piney Point, MD, May 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1985, 07:40 local (11:40 UTC)
- Place: Piney Point, MD
- Coordinates: 38.130329, -76.500656 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1303&lon=-76.5007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11169
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO85LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11169/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO85LA031

## 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, descent - normal
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING IN IFR CONDITIONS NEAR THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3800 TO 4000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED VECTORS TOWARD LAND & THE NEAREST ARPT; HOWEVER, WHEN IT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS STILL OVER WATER. UNABLE TO REACH LAND, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM SHORE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG, REVEALED HOLES IN EACH SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE CRANKCASE BETWEEN THE #1 & #2 CYLINDERS. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #2 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAD EVIDENCE OF EXTREME WEAR & HEAT, & THE RESPECTIVE CRANKSHAFT JOURNALS SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT & WEAR. ALSO, THE OIL PUMP CAVITY & WALLS WERE SCRATCHED & GALLED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1803Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20602927
- Airframe hours: 2015
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L Newman, doing business as Crew Systems Consultants
- Registered owner: Anti-Icing Research (Air), Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1984, 27 hours before
- Departed: SGH, SPRINGFIELD, OH
- Destination: NUI, PATUXENT RIVER, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PXT, Patuxent River Nas

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,678 total, 251 in this make and model, 3,843 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PXT, 11 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 19850524020729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850524020729A), May 24, 1985: Cessna 206CESSNA, Piney Point, MD, Substantial damage. Lost power on IFR descent to arpt. Broke out 1000 ft AGL. Ditched in river. Had thrown 2 rods through case. Rod bea

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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