# NTSB FTW90FA031: Cessna 210E, Matagorda 526, November 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1989, 20:15 local (Nov 23, 1989, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Matagorda 526
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA031

## 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

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - previous damage
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel
  - propeller system/accessories - separation (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
- Miscellaneous/other, other
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,lifevest - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,rafts - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21058683
- Airframe hours: 1662
- Engines: 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.

- Pilot; age 32; 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

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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