# NTSB ERA10LA159: Cessna P210N, N4797K, Arcadia, FL, March 3, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 2010, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Arcadia, FL - Coordinates: 27.191944, -81.837219 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1919&lon=-81.8372&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Teledyne Continental Motors, North Florida FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75435 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75435/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75435 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA159 ## Probable cause The total loss of engine power due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft resulting from worn bearings. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip engine power section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Damaged/degraded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis About 25 minutes into a cross-country flight, the airplane lost all engine power, and the pilot made an emergency landing in a field. The airplane collided with a power line pole and was consumed by a postcrash fire. Disassembly and examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft separated at the forward end of the No. 2 connecting rod journal. According to laboratory analysis, the fatigue fracture of the crankshaft was due to bearing wear and bearing shift. The maintenance records were destroyed by the postcrash fire, and no other history on the engine was obtained. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 2010, about 1435 eastern standard time, a Cessna P210N, N4797K, was substantially damaged after a loss of engine power and forced landing near the city of Arcadia, Florida. The commercial pilot received minor injuries and the passenger was seriously injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Buckingham, Fort Myers, Florida, about 1400. The pilot stated that approximately 25 minutes into the cross-country flight, he noticed that the engine had lost power and the manifold pressure had decreased to 18 inches of pressure. This was followed by a grinding noise and a decrease in oil pressure to zero. He then heard a loud bang and the engine began to run rough. Consequently, he was unable to maintain altitude and made an emergency landing in a field. During the emergency landing, the airplane hit a power line pole and came to a complete stop. A power line broke away from the pole and started a brush fire. The pilot and his passenger exited the airplane, as the airplane was engulfed by fire. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the airframe was totally consumed by the post crash fire. An examination of the flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. The airplane was removed from the field for further examination of the engine and system components. According to the pilot, all of the maintenance logbooks were in the airplane and were destroyed by the post crash fire. The engine and its components were sent to Teledyne Continental Motors for examination under the supervision of a NTSB investigator and a FAA inspector. During the examination of the engine, it was noted that the engine was heavily fire damaged and exhibited thermal discoloration. As the engine was disassembled, two quarts of oil were drained from the oil sump. The oil was dark in color and contained parts of the connecting rod bolts, connecting rod bearings and fragments of the number 2 crankshaft main bearings. The number 2 crankshaft main bearings were fragmented and extruded from the bearing support. The fragments exhibited mechanical damage. The crankshaft and counterweight assembly exhibited separation and mechanical damage concentrated at the number 2 connecting rod journal forward cheek. The number 2 main bearing support diameter exhibited displaced material and mechanical damage consistent with bearing rotation and extrusion. The number 2 main bearing support lock-slot was elongated. The number 1 connecting rod assembly exhibited mechanical damage, and the crankshaft bearings exhibited mechanical damage. The number 1 main bearing support diameter exhibited displaced material and mechanical damage consistent with bearing displacement. The number 1 main bearing support lock-slot was elongated. The number 1main bearing support exhibited a fracture from the bearing support surface to the number one cylinder deck area. The camshaft was bent, and exhibited mechanical damage concentrated on the crown of the number 2, 3, 5, and number 6 lobe areas. The engine oil pump was removed and disassembled, and the oil pump drive was intact. The oil pump cavity walls contained radial scoring and hard particle passage signatures. A detailed metallurgical examination of the engine was conducted by the NTSB Materials Laboratory. According to the Materials Laboratory Factual report, the fatigue fracture of the crankshaft was due to bearing wear and bearing shift. Fatigue features on the connecting rod bolt exhibited low-cycle high-stress fatigue features, indicating that the fracture was secondary. Deposits on the surface of the journal contained chlorine, suggesting the presence of contamination or additives in the oil. A sample of the engine lubricating oil was collected for evaluation. The exact type and manufacturer of the oil was not known. The sample was transferred to an independent, third-party laboratory for analysis. The sample was tested in accordance with ASTM D445 standards, and the testing viscosity values were found to meet the manufacturer’s specifications. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4797K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4797K-2012-02-02), registration cancelled 2012-02-02, S/N P21000324, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000324 - Airframe hours: 3292 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mcdermott Wayne E - Registered owner: Mcdermott Wayne E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2009, 23 hours before - Departed: FL59, Fort Myers, FL - Destination: LHW, Hinesville, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 135 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 21 knots, gusting 26 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: PGD ## 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 20100303034399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100303034399A), Mar 3, 2010: Cessna P210N, Arcadia, FL, Destroyed. On March 14, 2010, at approximately 1405 eastern standard time, a registered aircraft, N5797K Cessna P210N, serial number P21000324 owned and piloted by a… ## Docket (13 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75435. 4.5 MB in all. - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 1, .PDF, 665 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349286&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Insurance application document (item 2, .PDF, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40349287&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Insurance%20application%20document-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 11-110 (item 3, .PDF, 47 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355320&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2011-110-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation-TCM (item 4, .PDF, 72 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355491&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-TCM-Redacted.PDF - Pilot occurrence report (item 5, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355509&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20occurrence%20report-Redacted.PDF - TCM engine release form (item 6, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355512&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TCM%20engine%20release%20form-Master.PDF - TCM component release form (item 7, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355516&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=TCM%20component%20release%20form-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form-oil sample (item 8, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355517&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-oil%20sample-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form-crankshaft parts (item 9, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355519&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-crankshaft%20parts-Master.PDF - Material lab request (item 10, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Material%20lab%20request-Master.PDF - Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Formoil sample (item 11, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Formoil%20sample-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15-airframe and engine (item 12, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-airframe%20and%20engine-Redacted.PDF - Materials Laboratory 15 - Factual Report 11-095 (item 13, .PDF, 2.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%2015%20-%20Factual%20Report%2011-095-Master.PDF 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.