# NTSB DFW05CA135: Cessna 210L, N5120Q, Harvey, LA, May 25, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2005, 20:00 local (May 25, 2005, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Harvey, LA - Coordinates: 29.986665, -90.254722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9867&lon=-90.2547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW05CA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61571/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05CA135 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain 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) - nonmechanical, climb - to cruise - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 520-hour commercial pilot departed on a 10-minute repositioning flight. The engine stopped producing power when he reduced power in preparation to land. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and made a forced landing to a drainage ditch with the gear retracted. Approximately 23.5 gallons of fuel were removed from each wing, and it was absent of debris or water. The engine was test-run on the airframe utilizing the airplane's fuel system. The engine started immediately and ran without interruption. No mechanical deficiencies were noted. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 2005, at 1940 central daylight time, a single engine Cessna 210L airplane, N5120Q, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a reported loss of engine power near Harvey, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by Southern Seaplane, Incorporated, of Belle Chasse, Louisiana. No flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from the Louis Armstrong/New Orleans International Airport (MSY), near New Orleans, Louisiana, about 1930, and was destined for the Belle Chasse Seaplane Airport (65LA), near Belle Chasse, Louisiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the repositioning flight conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The 520-hour pilot reported that he departed New Orleans for Belle Chasse (a 10-minute flight) and climbed to an altitude of 1,300 feet above ground level. As the pilot prepared to land, he reduced power to extend the landing gear, during which time, the engine stopped producing power. The pilot was unable to maintain altitude and elected to make a forced landing to a drainage ditch. He elected to land gear up, and the airplane came to rest in about three feet of water. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, the left stabilizer was damaged and the elevator was separated from the airplane. The tips of the propeller blades were also damaged. Approximately 23.5 gallons of fuel were removed from each wing, and it was absent of debris or water. The Continental IO-520 engine was test-run on the airframe utilizing the airplane's fuel system. The engine started immediately and ran without interruption. No mechanical deficiencies were noted. Weather at the time of the accident was reported as wind from 210 degrees at 11 knots, visibility 10 miles, and temperature 80 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5120Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5120Q-2008-02-25), registration cancelled 2008-02-25, S/N 21059620 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210L - Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 210-59620 - Engines: Continental IO-520 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Southern Seaplane Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MSY, New Orleans, LA - Destination: 65LA, Belle Chasse, LA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1; flight hours: 520 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050524009579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050524009579A), May 24, 2005: Cessna 210L, Harvey, LA, Minor damage. (-23) Enroute from msy to southern seaplane (ssca), engine quit. Pilot tried to land on a waterway, but ended up in a drainage canal. 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.