# NTSB FTW91LA054: Cessna 210, N219CG, New Orleans, LA, March 20, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1991, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 29.959733, -90.159194 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9597&lon=-90.1592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA054

## Probable cause

THE POWER LOSS DUE TO FATIGUE INDUCED CRANKSHAFT FAILURE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S CONTINUED OPERATION WITH KNOWN MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND 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(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fractured (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A DAY TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING ROUGH AND HAD A HISTORY OF HIGH VIBRATIONS. FOLLOWING HIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION, THE PILOT LANDED ON AIRPORT PROPERTY ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY OVER-RUN. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE NOSE GEAR SHEARED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER TO THE INVERTED POSITION. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER HAD IDENTIFIED AN INTERNAL PROBLEM THAT WAS DEVELOPING THE VIBRATORY LOADS. THE PILOT WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE MANUFACTURERS ANALYSIS, BUT CHOSE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE WITHOUT ENGINE MAINTENANCE BEING PERFORMED. ENGINE DISASSEMBLY REVEALED CRANKSHAFT FAILURE WITH MULTIPLE ZONES OF FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N219CG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N219CG-1991-06-10), registration cancelled 1991-06-10, S/N 21060303 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060303
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cgs Aviation
- Registered owner: Cgs Aviation
- Destination: GWO, GREENWOOD, MS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MSY, New Orleans, runway 1

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 3,850 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910320006569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910320006569A), Mar 20, 1991: Cessna 210L, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. Severe engine vibrations on departure. Nosed over near runway. Prior engine vibrations. Advised internal defect.

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.