CEN19LA069

While on approach to land, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a soft field, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. There was a delay in recovering the airplane, and fuel quantity and quality at the time of the accident could not be verified. An examination of the engine and engine components did not detect any anomalies which would have contributed to a loss of engine power. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

On January 10, 2019, about 1650 central standard time, a Cessna T210L airplane, N2391S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Port Lavaca, Texas. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to information collected by the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot was at 2,800 ft mean sea level, and on a base leg to runway 14 at the Calhoun County Airport (PKV), Port Lavaca, Texas, when the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted a restart twice and then turned on the fuel pump. Engine power was not restored, and the pilot prepared for a forced landing to a field. When the airplane touched down in the field, the nose gear sank into the soft soil and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger were able to egress with minor injuries. Due to a U.S. Government furlough and wet accident site conditions, the airplane remained inverted for about 6 weeks before it was recovered. Once recovered, an examination was conducted on the engine. No anomalies were detected with the engine which would have precluded normal operation. Trace fuel was found in the fuel lines. However, due to the delayed recovery of the inverted airplane, fuel quantity and quality could not be verified. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.