# NTSB FTW98LA173: Cessna T210L, N591DC, Santa Teresa, NM, April 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 5, 1998, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Teresa, NM - Coordinates: 31.839702, -106.680877 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8397&lon=-106.6809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20571 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20571/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA173 ## Probable cause failure of the number 1 piston, which resulted in loss of engine power and a subsequent forced landing. The lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing was a related factor. ## 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, descent - normal - engine assembly,piston - failure,total (cause) - engine assembly,connecting rod - overload - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - overload - lubricating system,oil pressure pump - seized - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor) - terrain condition - sand bar (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis During a descent for landing with the power set at 23 inches of manifold pressure and 2,300 rpm, there was a loud noise, and something was observed to come out of the cowling. This was followed by a sudden loss of engine power, severe engine vibration, and light blue smoke in the cockpit. The pilots landed on a dirt road, but the airplane struck a sand dune, bounced, and nosed over. Postaccident engine examination disclosed the #1 piston had broken in half. The top half of the piston remained in the upper (outer) portion of the #1 cylinder. The bottom half of the piston was destroyed. The connecting rod and the cap bolt had separated. The camshaft and its splined end (where it attached to the oil pump) were damaged, and the oil pump had seized. There was 'necking down' of the rod cap bolts, consistent with tension overload. The engine had accrued 1,464.7 hours of flight time since new, and 915.1 hours of flight time since major overhaul. ## Factual narrative On April 5, 1998, approximately 1000 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T210L, N591DC, was substantially damaged during a forced landing 4 miles south of Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The private certificated instrument rated pilot receiving instruction and the airline transport rated flight instructor received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, approximately 0800. According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he was receiving an instrument competency check from the flight instructor. He and his instructor departed Santa Teresa, flew to Deming and Silver City, New Mexico, where instrument approaches were conducted. They were returning to Santa Teresa and were on an "extended let-down from 50 nm out at 23 inches of manifold pressure, 2,300 rpm, and 130 knots indicated airspeed." There was a loud noise, they caught a glimpse of something shoot out from the cowling, then there was a "sudden loss of power, severe engine vibration, and light blue smoke in the cockpit." The pilot landed on a dirt road 1.5 miles northwest of Santa Teresa, struck a sand dune, bounced, and nosed over. The engine was examined on April 22, 1998, by an FAA inspector and a representative of the engine manufacturer. The no. 1 piston was broken in half. The top half remained inside the upper portion of the no. 1 cylinder. The bottom half was destroyed. The connecting rod and the cap bolt were separated. The camshaft and its splined end (where it attaches to the oil pump) were damaged, and the oil pump had seized. There was "necking down" of the rod cap bolts, consistent with tension overload. According to the maintenance records, the engine was installed in a new airplane, N1788X, on March 28, 1975. The engine had accrued 549.6 total hours when it was removed from the airplane, overhauled, and installed in N591DC. At the time of the accident, the engine had accumulated 1,464.7 total hours, or 915.1 hours since major overhaul. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N591DC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N591DC-2012-09-10), registration cancelled 2012-09-10, S/N 21060147, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210L - Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 210-60147 - Airframe hours: 1458 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bryan R. Sanderson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1997, 50 hours before - Departed: 5T6, NM - Destination: 5T6 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 516 total, 420 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ELP, 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 19980405010459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980405010459A), Apr 5, 1998: Cessna T210L, Santa Teresa, NM, Substantial damage. Instrument competency check from CFI. Engine blew up. Landed dirt road. Nosed over 915 hrs since tbo. (-23) on April 5, 1998, pilot bryan robert sanderson,… 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.