# NTSB ERA10LA335: Cessna 210D, N3973Y, Babylon, NY, June 25, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 25, 2010, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Babylon, NY - Coordinates: 40.50111, -73.216667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5011&lon=-73.2167&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: Continental Motors Inc., FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA335 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76444/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76444 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA335 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the failure of the oil filter gasket and the subsequent engine oil depletion. ## 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 · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 233 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058520/cases.md) - [Eng oil sys (airframe furnish): quantity](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057932): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057932/cases.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057932/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01070000): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01070000/cases.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01070000/cases.md) - [Fluids: oil](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Not serviced/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 210D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 174 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071020/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating): recip eng oil sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Related maintenance info; cases with it: [Cessna 210D, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/cases.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058550/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 210D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073414), [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 210D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 210D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073414), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, the engine began running rough approximately 1 hour into the flight. Shortly thereafter, all engine power was lost, and the pilot executed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane collided with a walkway railing, substantially damaging the left wing. Examination of the engine revealed that it lost power due to oil starvation. Signatures within the internal components were consistent with engine operation after a depleted oil supply. Further examination revealed that the gasket between the oil filter adapter and the pump was torn, likely allowing oil to leak from this junction. Oil leak signatures including oil staining on the bottom of the engine were identified during the postaccident investigation. No determination could be made regarding how long the gasket had been in place. ## Factual narrative On June 25, 2010, at 1700 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210D, N3973Y, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power and made a forced landing to a field in Robert Moses State Park, Babylon, New York. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from the Easton/Newnam Field Airport (ESN), Easton, Maryland, at 1545. The pilot stated that the engine began “running rough” approximately one hour into the flight. Shortly thereafter, the engine experienced a total loss of power, and the pilot reported to air traffic control that he was attempting to make an emergency landing. He landed the airplane in a field adjacent to a parking lot and the airplane collided with a railing. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane collided with a walkway railing, and buckled the left wing tip and left aileron. Examination of the airframe and flight control system components revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. Examination of the fuel system revealed no water or debris in the fuel or fuel system components. A cursory examination of the engine revealed that the number four cylinder connecting rod was fractured. The fractured connecting rod breached the top of the engine case below the number four cylinder. Further examination of the engine revealed there were only three quarts of oil in the engine sump, and a minimal amount of oil was noted on the wind screen. There were no oil deposits in the engine compartment or on the fuselage. The engine was removed and sent to for further examination.. During the engine examination, it was noted that the oil pump screen had been replaced with an oil filter adapter, manufactured by F&M Enterprises, Inc., patent number 5,291,863. The oil filter adapter was installed with a gasket between the pump and the adapter. Examination of the gasket revealed that it was torn. The copper crush washer at the top end of the adapter was not crushed. Oil leakage signatures were present at these two junctions. The crankshaft and counterweight assembly exhibited lubrication distress, thermal damage, and mechanical damage concentrated at the numbers two, three, four, five and six connecting rod journals. The number four connecting rod exhibited thermal damage, mechanical damage, and was fractured through at the base of the I-beam, separating both sections of bearing supports. Fragments of the number four cylinder connecting rod cap exhibited thermal and mechanical damage. The connecting rod bearings exhibited varying degrees of lubrication distress. A review of the logbooks did not show evidence of the installation or maintenance of the oil filter adapter. Further review of thelogbooks revealed that the engine had an annual inspection eight months prior to the accident and had accumulated 18 hours of tachometer time. The logbook entry at the time of the annual inspection revealed that the engine was drained and refilled with 10 quarts of oil. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3973Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3973Y-2011-08-30), registration cancelled 2011-08-30, S/N 21058473, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210D - Registry model: [Cessna 210D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210d) (registry code 2073414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21058473 - Airframe hours: 3027 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2009, 18 hours before - Departed: ESN, Easton, MD - Destination: FOK, Westhampton, NY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 89; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 5,619 total, 717 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: FRG, 5 nm away ## 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 20100625055599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100625055599A), Jun 25, 2010: Cessna 210D, Robert Moses St, NY, Destroyed. While in cruise pilot reported loss of engine power to ATC. ## Docket (18 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 26, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76444. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 676 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347911&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Correspondence-pilot statement (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Correspondence-pilot%20statement-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Airframe Logbook (item 3, .PDF, 261 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347924&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Airframe%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-Engine Logbook (item 4, .PDF, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347925&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-Engine%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-ICAW Rev A Oct 27, 2009 (old) (item 5, .PDF, 319 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347928&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-ICAW%20Rev%20A%20Oct%2027,%202009%20(old)-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports-ICAW Rev X Marked Copy 4_26_11 (new) (item 6, .PDF, 319 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports-ICAW%20Rev%20X%20Marked%20Copy%204_26_11%20(new)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 (item 7, .PDF, 208 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347930&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201-Master.PDF - Photo 2 (item 8, .PDF, 194 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202-Master.PDF - Photo 3 (item 9, .PDF, 278 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203-Master.PDF - Photo 4 (item 10, .PDF, 293 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204-Master.PDF - Photo 5 (item 11, .PDF, 281 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205-Master.PDF - Photo 6 (item 12, .PDF, 368 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%206-Master.PDF - Photo 7 (item 13, .PDF, 301 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%207-Master.PDF - Photo 8 (item 14, .PDF, 458 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347939&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%208-Master.PDF - Photo 9 (item 15, .PDF, 264 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347940&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%209-Master.PDF - Photo 10 (item 16, .PDF, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2010-Master.PDF - Photo 11 (item 17, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2011-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 18, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40348106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.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.