FTW85FA171

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna T210N · Riesel, TX · April 1, 1985

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
April 1, 1985, 15:20 local (21:20 UTC)
Place
Riesel, TX
Injuries
1 fatal, 1 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
N6436NCessna T210N
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19850401009959A
Case key
21537

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malfManeuvering
Fluid,oil - inadequateCause
Fluid,oil - undeterminedCause
Engine assembly - overtemperature
Procedures/directives - not followedPilot in commandFactor
Loss of control - in flightDescent - emergency
In-flight planning/decision - poorPilot in commandFactor
Emergency procedure - poorPilot in commandFactor
Airspeed - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with objectDescent - uncontrolled
Object - tree(s)
FireOther

Analysis

The acft eng had just been top overhauled and a stol kit was added. The mechanic reportedly told the plt to be 'easy' on the eng and fly the acft 45-60 mins near the traffic pattern so it could be checked for oil leaks. The plt reportedlyignored these instructions, left the traffic pattern and was seen performing abrupt climbing and descending maneuvers. A witness reported seeing the acft several miles from the arpt trailing thin white smoke shortly before the eng stopped. The acft then made a steep left turn and 'lost altitude quickly' impacting trees. On scene investigation revealed the landing gear and flaps were in the full extended position. A negligable amt of oil was in the eng and no evidence of an oil leak was found. Eng teardown revealed evidence of oil starvation. Two holes were found worn in the oil pressure lineto the turbocharger, however, because the internal teflon liner was transformed to ashes by intense post crash fire it could not be determined if the holes were worn through the internal liner.

Aircraft

Registration
N6436N
Reported as
Cessna T210N
Category
Airplane
Serial number
21063012
Airframe hours
1,606
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-R, 310 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
On-Ground
Flight
Part 91
Registered owner
Wilson Forman
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 1, 1985 · 1 hours before
Departed
70F · Robinson, TX

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
30
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
320° at 11 knots
Visibility
15 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
25,000 ft overcast
Temperature
72 °F, dew point 37 °F
Altimeter
30.00 inHg
Observed at
ACT, 20 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.