# NTSB CHI95LA246: Cessna P210N, N6322W, Springfield, MO, July 30, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 30, 1995, 15:02 local (20:02 UTC) - Place: Springfield, MO - Coordinates: 37.27914, -93.289535 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2791&lon=-93.2895&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9965 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9965/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA246 ## Probable cause the partial loss of engine power due to fouled spark plugs as a result of an improper fuel/air mixture. A factor in the accident was the powerlines. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - ignition system,spark plug - fouled (cause) - mixture - improper (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - object - tree(s) - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE SENSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOSING POWER BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT ACCELERATING. THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS AND FUEL SELECTOR ALL APPEARED NORMAL. THE CONTROL TOWER REPORTED A PUFF OF BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SELECTED A FIELD TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON. HE STATED THAT HE WAS NOT ABLE TO LOWER THE FLAPS UNTIL THE AIRPLANE CLEARED POWERLINES WHICH LINED THE FIELD'S BOUNDARY. AIRSPEED CARRIED THE AIRPLANE TO THE CENTER OF THE FIELD, SO THE PILOT DECIDED TO HIT A HEDGE ROW OF TREES IN ORDER TO SLOW THE AIRPLANE DOWN. THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS AND VALVES WERE COATED WITH BLACK SOOT. SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS WERE OIL SOAKED. THE AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS WERE FOUND IN THE 'ON' POSITION WITH THE TEMPERATURE SELECTOR ON MAXIMUM COLD. THE FUEL PUMP POSITION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED BECAUSE THE SWITCHES WERE REMOVED PRIOR TO THE FAA'S ARRIVAL ON SITE. NO OTHER ANOMALIES WERE NOTED. ## Factual narrative On July 30, 1995, at 1502 central daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N6322W, sustained substantial damage following a loss of engine power and subsequent forced landing shortly after taking off from Springfield Regional Airport, Springfield, Missouri. The private pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries, one passenger reported serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an IFR flight plan was on file. The pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91 and had an intended destination of West Houston, Texas. In a detailed written statement, the pilot reported the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, and engine run up were all normal. The pilot stated that he set the flaps to 10 degrees and began the takeoff roll. Takeoff was normal and the landing gear and flaps were retracted. "Shortly thereafter, it became apparent that the engine was losing power because the aircraft was not accelerating," the pilot stated. The Springfield Control Tower contacted N6322W and informed the pilot that they had observed a puff of black smoke coming from the airplane. The pilot stated that he scanned the engine instruments and fuel selector, all appeared normal. The control tower asked N6322W if he was able to climb or if he would be able to return to the airport and the pilot replied no. The pilot stated that at this point he concentrated on selecting a place to make a forced landing. The pilot stated he selected a plowed field for its length. As the airplane got closer, the pilot saw that powerlines lined the field's boundary. The pilot stated that he was not able to lower the flaps in preparation for landing until the airplane cleared these powerlines. "Airspeed carried us to the center of the field. I saw a hedge row and small trees at the end of the plowed field and decided to try to hit them to slow the aircraft," the pilot stated. The right wing struck a tree and the airplane impacted the ground. Postaccident examination revealed the spark plugs and valves were coated with black soot. Several of the spark plugs were oil soaked. The air conditioning controls were found in the ON position with the temperature selector on maximum cold. The fuel boost pump position could not be determined because the switches were removed by the airplane's owner prior to the FAA's arrival on site. No other anomalies were noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6322W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6322W-1998-02-12), registration cancelled 1998-02-12, S/N P21000750 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P210-00750 - Airframe hours: 1239 - Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Orville D. Gaither Sr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 19, 1995, 14 hours before - Departed: SGF - Destination: IWS, WEST HOUSTON, TX - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,278 total, 1,050 in this make and model, 3,136 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SGF, 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 19950730020249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950730020249A), Jul 30, 1995: Cessna P210N, Springfield, MO, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Landing struck trees end of open field. No defects. High temp. Airconditioning on full. 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.