# NTSB LAX87FA084: Cessna T210M, N112DW, Pacoima, CA, January 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1987, 07:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.25008, -118.40995 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2501&lon=-118.4099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25369
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25369/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,spark plug - worn (cause)
  - maintenance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND COLLIDED WITH A LARGE WAREHOUSE. THE AIRFRAME WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED IN THE POST CRASH FIRE. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN WITH ELECTRODE GAPS MEASURED AT GREATER THAN .025 INCHES. MAXIMUM SERVICEABLE GAP FOR THE PLUGS IS .021 INCHES, WITH THE MOST DESIRED GAP RANGE FROM .016 TO .019. THE MAINTENANCERECORDS NOTED THAT THE LAST TIME NEW PLUGS WERE INSTALLED WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 1982, 493 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLUGS WERE RECONDITIONED IN JULY OF 1984, 392 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE PLUG MANUFACTURER INDICATES THAT GAPS IN EXCESS OF .025 REQUIRE EXCESSIVE VOLTAGE TO FIRE UNDER CYLINDER TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE CONDITIONS AT TAKEOFF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N112DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N112DW-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 21061978, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210M
- Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061978
- Airframe hours: 1032
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Samuel D. Wright
- Registered owner: Samuel D Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 16, 1986, 207 hours before
- Departed: WHP
- Destination: WJE, LANCASTER, CA
- Airport: WHP, Whitman Airpark, runway 12, 3,725 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,025 total, 98 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 5 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 19870113000339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870113000339A), Jan 13, 1987: Cessna T210M, Pacoima, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried to make a steep 180 when engine quit on takeoff. Crashed into building. Fuel selector between detents.

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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