# NTSB LAX86FA207: Cessna P210N, N55MM, Long Beach, CA, May 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1986, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Long Beach, CA
- Coordinates: 33.810974, -118.180717 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8110&lon=-118.1807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA207

## 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, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,piston - binding(mechanical) (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overload (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,alignment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE FROM CINCINNATI, OH (LUK), TO TORRANCE, CA, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL ENGINE POWER LOSS ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTH OF LONG BEACH AIRPORT (LGB), LONG BEACH, CA. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT LGB BUT THE ACFT ALT WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE ACFT CRASHED ON A GOLF COURSE LOCATED ABT 1/4 MILE EAST OF THE ARPT. THE INVESTIGATION DISCLSD THE NO. 2 PISTON HAD MELTED DUE TO EXTREME HIGH TEMP DISTRESS AND THE CON ROD FRACTURED IN OVERLOAD. THE ENGINE WAS INSTALLED AT LUK ON MAY 2, 1986 AND HAD ACCUM 125 FLT HRS. METALLURGICAL EXAM DISCLSD MISALIGNMENT OF THE CON ROD AND PISTON/CYLINDER BARREL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55MM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55MM-2017-03-21), registration cancelled 2017-03-21, S/N P21000874 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210r) (registry code 2073455) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00266
- Airframe hours: 1633
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Washburn, Thomas B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 1986, 68 hours before
- Departed: E69, PAYSON, AZ
- Destination: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Airport: LGB, Long Beach

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total, 3,600 in this make and model, 4,400 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 1 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 19860503015589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860503015589A), May 3, 1986: Cessna P210R, Long Beach, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed and the aircraft struck trees on landing.a misaligned piston pin caused extreme cylinder overheat

## Other investigations on N55MM (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL94FA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94FA056), Mar 1, 1994: Cessna P210R (N55MM), Bay Minette, AL, destroyed, 4 fatal. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND EXCEEDING THE DESIGN STRESS LIMITS OF THE AIRCRAFT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FLIGHT…

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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