# NTSB CEN14LA031: Cessna T210L, N398MA, Borger, TX, October 25, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 25, 2013, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Borger, TX - Coordinates: 35.700832, -101.393608 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7008&lon=-101.3936&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA, Continental Motors Inc - NTSB case key (mKey): 88358 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88358/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88358 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA031 ## Probable cause The failure of the No. 4 connecting rod due to inadequate oil lubrication. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng cyl section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 373 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058530/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna T210L, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073449), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight, the engine began to surge with intermittent power and that the airplane's speed and the engine's manifold pressure and oil pressure decreased. While the pilot was diverting the airplane to the nearest airport, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot established a glide toward the airport, but, when he realized that the airplane would not be able to reach the airport, he chose to perform a forced landing to a field. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a transmission wire and subsequently collided with terrain. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 connecting rod had separated from its rod journal and that the rod cap bearing had partially melted into the rod journal. The No. 4 connecting rod cap and cap bolts exhibited signatures consistent with a lack of oil lubrication. No other anomalies were discovered with the engine that would have precluded normal operation. The examinations did not reveal any abnormalities that would have prevented adequate oil lubrication of the No. 4 connecting cap and cap bolts. The reason for the lack of lubrication could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On October 25, 2013, about 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna T210L airplane, N398MA, struck a transmission wire and collided with terrain during a forced landing near Borger, Texas. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated from the Thomas P Stafford Airport (KOJA), Weatherford, Oklahoma, about 1040 and was en route to Santa Fe, New Mexico. According to a statement provided by the pilot, the flight was uneventful until about one hour after takeoff, when the engine began to surge with intermittent power. The airplane's speed decreased along with the engine's manifold pressure, and oil pressure. While diverting to the Hutchinson Country Airport (BGD), Borger, Texas, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot began gliding the airplane toward the airport. When he determined that the airplane was unable to reach the airport, the pilot selected a field for a forced landing. During the forced landing, the airplane struck a transmission wire and collided with terrain. Substantial damage was sustained to both wings, the fuselage, empennage, left horizontal stabilizer and elevator. A postaccident examination of the engine was conducted by the NTSB and a technical representative from Continental Motors. The examination found the number four connecting rod separated from its rod journal, and the rod cap melted into the rod journal. The number five rod journal was thermally discolored. No other anomalies were discovered with the engine. The number four rod cap and cap bolts were examined at Continental Motors' Analytical Department, Mobile, Alabama, under the auspices of the NTSB. All components displayed signatures consistent with the lack of oil lubrication. The examinations did not reveal any abnormalities which would have prevented adequate oil lubrication to the engine components. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N398MA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N398MA-2016-02-24), registration cancelled 2016-02-24, S/N 21061441, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L - Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21061441 - Year built: 1976 - Engines: Continental Motors TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2013, 19 hours before - Departed: OJA, WEATHERFORD, OK - Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 20, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,227 total, 513 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KBGD ## 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 20131025020459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131025020459A), Oct 25, 2013: Cessna T210L, Borger, TX, Destroyed. On October 25, 2013, at approximately 11:40 CDT, N398MA, a Cessna T210-L, was on a part 91 flight from thomas p. stafford (oja), located in weatherford,… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88358. 8.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 Wreckage overview(First responders photo) (item 2, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Wreckage%20overview(First%20responders%20photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2_Photo of engine(FAA responders photo) (item 3, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202_Photo%20of%20engine(FAA%20responders%20photo)-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 4, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411260&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 5, .PDF, 289 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.