# NTSB ERA10TA215: Cessna 404, N6035, Ponce, PR, April 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: April 7, 2010, 09:15 local (13:15 UTC) - Place: Ponce, PR - Coordinates: 18, -66.550003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=18.0000&lon=-66.5500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 12, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75672 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10TA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75672/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75672 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10TA215 ## Probable cause A loss of power to the right engine for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 404, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2075901), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2075901), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Engine shutdown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140); cases with it: [Cessna 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md?model=2075901), [All aircraft, 80 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/140/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2075901), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 404, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2075901), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Shortly after takeoff, about 200 feet above ground level, the right engine surged and lost power, accompanied by the sound of an explosion. The pilot feathered the right propeller and advanced the throttle on the left engine. The pilot attempted to continue the climb; however, the airplane began to lose altitude. The pilot elected to land straight ahead in a grassy area beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane touched down past the runway end and collided with a perimeter fence, resulting in structural damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination by Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed that there was adequate fuel on board for the flight. The engines were removed and disassembled and the engine components were tested; no anomalies were found. ## Factual narrative On April 7, 2010, about 0915 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 404, N6035, was substantially damaged after an in-flight loss of engine power and forced landing at the Mercedita Airport (TJPS), Ponce, Puerto Rico. The airplane was operated by Policia de Puerto Rico. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the public use surveillance flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, about 200 feet above ground level, the right engine surged and started to lose power. The pilot feathered the right propeller and advanced the throttle on the left engine. The airplane was losing altitude, so the pilot elected to land straight ahead in a grassy area beyond the departure end of the runway. The airplane contacted a fence about 700 feet past the departure end of the runway. Structural damage to the wings and fuselage resulted. The pilot reported that there were 230 gallons of fuel on board at takeoff. A pilot-rated passenger and an observer were on board the airplane at the time of the accident and reported that the sound of an “explosion” came from the right engine at the time of the engine power loss. The wreckage was recovered to a hangar at the airport. A cursory examination of the wreckage did not reveal a reason for the engine power loss. A compression check was performed on the right engine cylinders and compression was observed on all cylinders. The left wing fuel tank registered 400 pounds of fuel. The right wing tank did not register any fuel quantity; impact damage to the right wing affected the integrity of the tank. Both wing tank drains were activated and fuel was available from both drains. The engines were removed from the airframe and sent to an engineering facility for teardown and examination. An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration provided oversight. The right engine, serial number 823723-R, had accumulated about 385 hours since factory overhaul. The most recent inspection occurred on February 28, 2010. The engine had accumulated about 95 hours since the last inspection. The right engine was examined first. The oil pan was removed and examined for metallic particles; none were found. The alternator, starter, and magnetos were removed; no anomalies were found. The air induction tubes were secure and intact. All spark plugs were removed and the electrodes exhibited a dry, black appearance. The engine rotated freely when turned through by hand. The valve train and the exposed accessory gears appeared to operate normally. Internal engine continuity was established with no anomalies noted. Fuel injectors were visibly inspected with no blockages observed. The following right engine components were removed and bench-tested: the fuel servo, engine-driven fuel pump, fuel manifold, both magnetos, and both ignition harnesses. All removed componentsbench-tested satisfactorily with no anomalies found. The left engine was then examined to include confirmation of internal engine continuity and bench-testing of components. No anomalies were found. The 0850 weather observation for TJPS included the following: few clouds at 2,500 feet, surface winds from 050 degrees at 8 knots, 10 statute miles visibility, temperature 28 degrees Celsius, dew point 18 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.00 inches of mercury. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6035](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6035-2011-07-07), registration cancelled 2011-07-07, S/N 404-0843 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 404 - Registry model: [Cessna 404](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-404) (registry code 2075901) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 404-0843 - Airframe hours: 9739 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors GTSIO520M 375 horsepower reciprocating; reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Public aircraft, Public use - Operator: Policia De Puerto Rico - Registered owner: Policia De Puerto Rico - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 28, 2010, 95 hours before - Departed: TJPS, Ponce, PR - Destination: TJPS, Ponce, PR - Airport: TJPS, Mercedita Airport, runway 12, 6,904 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,574 total, 934 in this make and model, 2,813 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Co-pilot; age 46; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: unknown, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; flight hours: 905 total, 768 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TJPS, 1 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 20100407031099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100407031099A), Apr 7, 2010: Cessna 404, Ponce, PR, Substantial damage. On April 7, 2010, at approximately 9:00 am, aircraft registration number N6035, a Cessna 404 model, registered and operated by the puerto rico police… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 3, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75672. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 462 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot's Written Statement - Rosado (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Written%20Statement%20-%20Rosado-Redacted.PDF - Passenger's Written Statement - Montijo (item 3, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%27s%20Written%20Statement%20-%20Montijo-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Interview - Rosado (item 4, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337615&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Interview%20-%20Rosado-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Interview - Sandoval (item 5, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337616&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Interview%20-%20Sandoval-Redacted.PDF - FAA Record of Visit (item 6, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Visit-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement - Engine Examination (item 7, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337619&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement%20-%20Engine%20Examination-Redacted.PDF - Engine Examination Report (item 8, .PDF, 196 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337620&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Engine%20Examination%20Report-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts - Right Engine Maintenance Records (item 9, .PDF, 373 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337621&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20-%20Right%20Engine%20Maintenance%20Records-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Forward Fuselage and Right Engine (FAA Digital Photo) (item 10, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337622&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Forward%20Fuselage%20and%20Right%20Engine%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Fuselage Damage (FAA Digital Photo) (item 11, .PDF, 144 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337624&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Fuselage%20Damage%20(FAA%20Digital%20Photo)-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.