- Date
- November 22, 1989, 20:15 local (Nov 23, 1989, 02:15 UTC)
- Place
- Matagorda 526
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 1 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- TGGUWCessna 210E
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report October 7, 1992
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 23001
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The separation of the propeller system for unknown reasons. Contributing to the severity of the injuries was the pilot's failure to assure that a raft and/or lifevests were on the airplane during the overwater portion of the flight.
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.
Analysis
During cruise flight the propeller assembly separated from the engine. The pilot ditched the airplane next to an oil platform aprx 10 mi from land. The pilot, his wife, and two small children exited and attempted to swim to the platform. The sea state was rough, and no raft or life vests were on the airplane. The pilot's wife and children were lost at sea. Examination of the engine mounts and crankshaft showed no evidence of fatigue or pre-existing fractures. Aprx 4 years prior to this accident the airplane was involved in a gear-up landing, resulting in the prop blades being curled back aprx 30 deg up to 8 inches from the tips. The blades were straightened and returned to service. According to the manufacturer the repair was not in accordance with their service manual and should have been replaced.
Aircraft
- Registration
- TGGUW
- Reported as
- Cessna 210E
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 21058683
- Airframe hours
- 1,662
- Engine
- Continental IO-520-E, 285 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Thomas P. Mifsud, doing business as Asesoria Y Cobros S.A.
- Last inspection
- 100 hour · August 29, 1989 · 77 hours before
- Departed
- BRO · Brownsville, TX
- Destination
- AAP · Houston, TX
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 32
- Certificates
- Private, Foreign
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
- Flight hours
- 872 total · 250 in this make and model · 872 as pilot in command · 79 in the last 90 days · 22 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 330° at 30 knots
- Visibility
- 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 50 °F, dew point -0 °F