# NTSB CEN14LA204: Cessna 210A, N9421X, Searcy, AR, April 18, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 2014, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Searcy, AR - Coordinates: 35.178333, -91.746391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1783&lon=-91.7464&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Continental Motors Inc., FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 89086 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89086/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89086 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, which resulted in oil starvation and a subsequent engine failure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 210A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073408), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, shortly after departure, he and the pilot-rated passenger detected smoke in the cockpit. The pilot turned off the avionics and began flying toward the closest airport. While en route to the airport, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and then seized. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the engine's crankcase. Examination of the engine revealed signatures consistent with oil starvation of the engine components, which resulted in the failure of the No. 5 connecting rod. Only residual oil was found at the accident site and within the engine, and only a small amount of oil sheen was discovered on the airplane surfaces. An annual inspection had recently been completed on the airplane, and a review of the engine logbook revealed no entries related to the engine's oil system. Although the pilots reported no anomalies during the preflight inspection, the evidence is consistent with a lack of engine oil before the flight, which could have been discovered during a thorough preflight inspection. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2014, about 1445 central daylight time, a Cessna 210A airplane, N9421X, collided with terrain during a forced landing near Searcy, Arkansas. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Arkansas Pilots for Christ under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight departed the Red Oak Airport (4AR2) about 1430.According to the pilot, the takeoff and departure were uneventful until they smelled smoke and saw smoke coming from the right corner of the cockpit instrument panel. They turned off the avionics and diverted to the Searcy Municipal Airport (KSRC), Searcy, Arkansas. While flying to KSRC, the engine initially experienced a partial loss of engine power and then seized. Unable to glide the airplane to the airport, the pilot maneuvered to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the nose gear struck an unseen obstruction and the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed two holes in the engine crankcase: one near the number 5 cylinder and one near the number 6 cylinder. Disassembly and examination of the engine discovered a blue material consistent with room temperature vulcanization (RTV) sealant between the oil filter adapter and oil pump housing. RTV was discovered within the oil filter adapter housing. The oil filter was opened and small metallic particulates were found in the filter pleats. The oil sump's quick drain valve was impact damaged. The oil sump contained a residual amount of oil along with metal material consistent with fragments of bearings, pistons, connecting rods, connecting rod bolts and nuts, and a piston pin. The oil pick-up screen was free of obstructions. None of the rocker box cover screws were tightly secured. Mechanical damage was noted to the number 5 and number 6 cylinders and pistons. All six bearings displayed lubrication distress and thermal smearing. The crankshaft displayed signatures of lubrication distress, thermal damage, and mechanical damage. The number 5 connecting rod journal sustained more damage when compared to the other connecting rod journals. An annual inspection of the airplane had been accomplished prior to the accident flight. A review of the log books did not find any entries related to the servicing or maintenance of the engine's oil system. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported performing a normal preflight inspection of the airplane. Photos provided by the airplane recovery team showed a small amount of oil sheen on the airplane's fuselage. A small amount of oil was present on the engine; however, very little oil was found at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9421X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9421X-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 21057721, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210A - Registry model: [Cessna 210A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210a) (registry code 2073408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21057721 - Year built: 1961 - Airframe hours: 3977.9 - Engines: Continental Motors IO-470-DR 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Arkansas Pilots For Christ Inc - Registered owner: Arkansas Pilots For Christ Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 17, 2014, 0 hours before - Departed: 4AR2, Cabot, AR - Destination: KSRC, Searcy, AR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 7, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KSRC, 2 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 20140418005729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140418005729A), Apr 18, 2014: Cessna 210A, Searcy, AR, Substantial damage. On April 18, 2014, at 1445 CST, a Cessna 210A, N9421X, registered to Arkansas pilots for christ, inc., experienced a loss of power on the first flight after… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89086. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417201&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Certification of Party Representatives (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417200&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Certification%20of%20Party%20Representatives-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Accident Overview (item 3, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417202&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Accident%20Overview-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Fuselage (item 4, .PDF, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417203&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Fuselage-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Engine (item 5, .PDF, 260 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417204&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Engine-Master.PDF - Photo 4 - Oil Filter Adapter (item 6, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417205&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Oil%20Filter%20Adapter-Master.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.