# NTSB FTW03LA070: Cessna T207, N1599U, Brownsville, TX, December 30, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 30, 2002, 14:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Brownsville, TX - Coordinates: 25.920444, -97.48014 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9204&lon=-97.4801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56263 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW03LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56263/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW03LA070 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to the separation of the crankshaft. A 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, climb - to cruise - engine assembly,crankshaft - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The 2,900-hour pilot stated that the airplane lost engine power during climb to cruise. The pilot went through the emergency procedures, and made about a 130 degree left turn for the best place to land. Post examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was found to be separated between the number 2 and 3 journals. It had no heat discoloration. ## Factual narrative On December 30, 2002, at 1440 central standard time, a Cessna T207 single-engine airplane, N1599U, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during climb to cruise from the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) near Brownsville, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by Comercializadora Cano, Inc., of Brownsville. The airline transport pilot, sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulation Part 91 personal flight. The flight originated from BRO at 1435, and was destined for Tampico, Mexico. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the 2,900-hour pilot stated that about 3.5 miles south of BRO, while climbing through 950 feet AGL, lost engine power, went through the emergency procedures, and made about a 130 degree left turn to attempt to reach a suitable place to land. Examination of the airplane, by the FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, revealed that the right main landing gear had collapsed, the right wing spar and right horizontal stabilizer sustained damage, and fuselage bulkheads were buckled. Post examination of the 310-horsepower Continental TSIO-520-M engine (serial number 513430) revealed that the crankshaft was separated between the number 2 and 3 journals. No evidence or signs of heat discoloration was found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1599U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1599U-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 20700199, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T207 - Registry model: [Cessna T207](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t207) (registry code 2073612) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20700199 - Airframe hours: 9568.6 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-M 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Alexandru Neacsu - Registered owner: Comercializadora Cano Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 2002, 116.3 hours before - Departed: BRO, Brownsville, TX - Destination: TAM, Tampico - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BRO, Brownsville/South Padre Island, runway 17, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 17, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 2,900 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 23 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.68 inHg - Observed at: BRO, 4 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 20021230035879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021230035879A), Dec 30, 2002: Cessna T207, Brownsville, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On December 30, 2002, at 1440 central standard time, a Cessna T207 single-engine airplane, N1599U, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain… 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.