# NTSB DEN90LA173: Cessna T-210-L, N5397V, Edgewood, NM, August 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1990, 10:50 local (16:50 UTC)
- Place: Edgewood, NM
- Coordinates: 35.079608, -106.169868 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0796&lon=-106.1699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17980
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17980/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA173

## Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A BROKEN CONNECTING ROD. A FACTOR WAS THE ROUGH UNEVEN TERRAIN AVAILABLE FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overtemperature
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT REPORTED DURING INITIAL CLIMB, FOLLOWING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION, WHICH INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THREE CYLINDERS, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES AND QUIT. THE PLANE HAD ATTAINED 400 FEET AGL, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. THE PLANE LANDED SHORT IN A ROUGH FIELD, SLID 550 FEET, CROSSED A DITCH, AN ARROYO, THE ROAD, AND STRUCK A DIRT BANK. THE LEFT WING SPAR, FUSELAGE, ENGINE MOUNT AND FIREWALL WERE DAMAGED. A POSTACCIDENT ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER TWO ROD HAD FAILED AND CAUSED AN ENGINE STOPPAGE. THE ROD SHOWED EVIDENCE OF UNDER LUBRICATION AND OVERHEATING. THE INVESTIGATION FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT THE ROD HAD BEEN REMOVED DURING THE MAINTENANCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5397V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5397V-2013-02-25), registration cancelled 2013-02-25, S/N 21060932, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-210-L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060932
- Airframe hours: 2508
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-RCH 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Anthony B. Brothers
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1990, 1 hours before
- Destination: NM51
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 361 total, 66 in this make and model, 361 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900823035359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900823035359A), Aug 23, 1990: Cessna T210L, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. Engine failed on takeoff. On test flight after newly installed cylinders which may have overstressed rod bearings.

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.

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