# NTSB FTW85FA171: Cessna T210N, N6436N, Riesel, TX, April 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1985, 15:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Riesel, TX
- Coordinates: 31.470245, -96.92958 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4702&lon=-96.9296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21537
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21537/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA171

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - fluid,oil - inadequate (cause)
  - fluid,oil - undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly - overtemperature
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
- Fire, other

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6436N-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 21063012, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21063012
- Airframe hours: 1606
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19850401009959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850401009959A), Apr 1, 1985: Cessna T210N, Riesel, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During test flight after top overhaul engine seized. Aircraft stalled, struck trees, ground and burned.

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.

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