CHI98LA360

During initial climb the engine lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a field and the airplane was substantially damaged. Subsequent to the accident an examination of the engine revealed a fractured crankshaft. The engine, including the original crankshaft had accumulated 1,080 hours time in service at the time of failure. The FAA verified that the crankshaft was not the subject of an Airworthiness Directive. The logbooks showed no indication of sudden stoppage during the service life of the engine. Examination of the crankshaft revealed a fatigue failure consistent with friction heating fatigue.

On September 22, 1998, at 1950 central daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N5245A, operated by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from runway 36 (4,001' X 75' dry/asphalt), near Amery, Wisconsin. The pilot stated that the engine suffered a loss of power, which lead to the necessity for a forced landing. The pilot reported minor injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.

An examination of the engine after the accident revealed a fracture of the crankshaft through the #2 main bearing journal. The total time in service on the crankshaft was 1,080 hours, which is identical to the time in service on the engine and airframe. The crankshaft had never been removed from the engine since new nor was it inspected during its service life. No previous sudden stoppage was recorded in the logbooks. Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration reviewed the logbooks for the engine and indicated that Airworthiness Directives did not effect the crankshaft.

The crankshaft was submitted to the NTSB's Office of Research and Engineering, Materials Laboratory Division for examination. A copy of their factual findings is attached to this report. The report indicated that the failure was a fatigue failure, which according to the report was consistent with frictional heating.