# NTSB DEN92IA013: Cessna T210M, N6179N, La Veta, CO, December 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1991, 12:56 local (19:56 UTC)
- Place: La Veta, CO
- Coordinates: 37.510948, -104.999198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5109&lon=-104.9992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN92IA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN92IA013

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE NO 1 CONNECTING ROD DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION FROM BLOCKED OIL PORTS.

## 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, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - lubricating system,oil port/passage,internal - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT HEARD A 'CLUNK' AND LOST MANIFOLD PRESSURE.  HE REVERSED COURSE BACK TO THE AIRPORT BUT WAS FORCED TO LAND ON A SNOW COVERED HIGHWAY.  HE ELECTED TO LAND WHEELS UP.  ENGINE DISASSEMBLY DISCLOSED THE NO. 1 CONNECTING ROAD HAD BROKEN AT THE CRANKSHAFT END.  ADDITIONALLY, THE OIL JOURNAL WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED WITH BABBET. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF LACK OF LUBRICATION AND HIGH HEAT DISTRESS THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6179N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6179N-1996-03-08), registration cancelled 1996-03-08, S/N 21062950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21062950
- Airframe hours: 1294
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas R. White
- Registered owner: Thomas R. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1991, 28 hours before
- Departed: 07V, LA VETA, CO
- Destination: MTJ, MONTROSE, CO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 700 total, 350 in this make and model, 556 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19911201062879I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911201062879I), Dec 1, 1991: Cessna T210M, Laveta, CO, Minor damage. Engine lost power on climb. Forced landing on snow covered highway. Wheels up landing. NR1 connecting rod broke.

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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