# NTSB CHI98LA360: Cessna P210N, N5245A, Amery, WI, September 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 1998, 19:50 local (Sep 23, 1998, 00:50 UTC) - Place: Amery, WI - Coordinates: 45.299514, -92.36074 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2995&lon=-92.3607&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 44023 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA360 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/44023/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA360 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the crankshaft from frictional heating for undetermined reasons. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (contributing factor) - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5245A (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Cessna P210N - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000839 - Airframe hours: 1080 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-CF 325 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Toftness Post Grad Sch, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AHH - Airport: AHH, Amery Municipal, runway 36, 4,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,651 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 4,424 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19980922039279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980922039279A), Sep 22, 1998: Cessna P210R, Amery, WI, Substantial damage. (.19) On September 22, 1998, at 1950 central daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N5245A, operated by an airline transport pilot, sustained substantial damage during… 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.