# NTSB CHI95LA047: Cessna P210N, N4872P, Aurora, MO, November 24, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 24, 1994, 17:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Aurora, MO - Coordinates: 36.959033, -93.719749 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9590&lon=-93.7197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9804 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9804/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA047 ## Probable cause An undetermined failure of the engine crankshaft resulting in total loss of engine power. The terrain at the emergency landing site and nighttime darkness were contributing factors. ## 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, cruise - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure (cause) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - Complete gear collapsed, emergency landing - landing gear - overload - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING A NIGHT FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD FOLLOWING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ALL THREE LANDING GEAR FAILED DUE TO OVERLOAD AND THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST UPRIGHT. SUBSEQUENT DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD BROKEN, THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. ## Factual narrative On November 24, 1994, at 1745 central standard time, a Cessna P210N, N4872P, was substantially damaged during a night forced landing following a loss of engine power near Aurora, Missouri. The private pilot received minor injuries. The personal flight originated at the Springfield Municipal Airport, Springfield, Missouri, at 1715 cst, with an intended destination of Rogers, Arkansas. An IFR flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported that the aircraft performed normally during takeoff and climb from Springfield. However, during cruise at 6,000 feet, the engine began to "sound unusual" and a short time later it stopped completely. The pilot selected a farm field in darkness and complete a forced landing. The pilot reported that weather at the accident location was approximately 2,500 foot overcast with no obstruction to visibility. The air traffic controller handling the flight at Fort Smith (Arkansas) Air Traffic Control Tower reported that the pilot indicated no difficulty on initial contact. The controller gave the pilot weather at Rogers Airport, advised which approach to expect and cleared the flight to descend to 4,000 feet. Approximately 10 seconds later the pilot reported that the aircraft's engine had quit. The controller attempted to assist the pilot in locating a nearby road or airport, however, by that time radar and radio contact had been lost with the flight. The aircraft landed in an open field, all three landing gear collapsed due to overload and the aircraft came to rest upright. The pilot reported that he exited the aircraft and walked to a nearby farmhouse to call for assistance. Subsequent disassembly of the engine revealed that the crankshaft had fractured for undetermined reasons. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4872P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4872P-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N P21000125, 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: P21000125 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aviators, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SGF, SPRINGFIELD, MO - Destination: ROG, ROGERS, AR - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,198 total, 166 in this make and model, 1,172 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 200° at 14 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 23 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 19941124048689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941124048689A), Nov 24, 1994: Cessna P210N, Rogers, AR, Substantial damage. Lost power. Made hard night forced landing. Collapsed gear. Crankshaft had fractured. 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.