# NTSB LAX89LA327: Cessna 210B, N9615X, Newport Beach, CA, September 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1989, 20:02 local (Sep 27, 1989, 03:02 UTC)
- Place: Newport Beach, CA
- Location: 33.6266° N, 117.8655° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Newport Beach, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6266&lon=-117.8655&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA327
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA327

## Probable cause

THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO SHORE.

## 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,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT, EXPEREINCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING & HE DITCHED HIS AIRCRAFT IN A HARBOR. THE AIRCRAFT SANK. UPON ITS SUBSEQUENT RECOVERY, IT WAS EXAMINED, & ITS CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND FRACTURED. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A SURFACE ORIGIN FATIGUE CRACK, WHICH HAD PROPAGATED IN THE AREA OF THE NO 4 CRANKSHAFT CHEEK BETWEEN, THE NO 2 MAIN JOURNAL & THE NO 3 CRANKPIN JOURNAL. THE FRACTURE HAD INITIATED IN THE FORWARD FILLET RADIUS OF THE NO 2 MAIN JOURNAL. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY PREEXISTING MATERIAL DEFECTS IN THE CRANKSHAFT METAL. ABOUT 10 YEARS & 1166 OPERATING HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE HAD REPORTEDLY UNDERGONE A MAJOR OVERHAUL. THE AIRCRAFT'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE INCOMPLETE & THE ADEQUACY OF THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE COULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY DOCUMENTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9615X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9615X-1991-04-10), registration cancelled 1991-04-10, S/N 21057915 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210B
- Registry model: [Cessna 210B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210b) (registry code 2073410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21057915
- Airframe hours: 4170
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David Gibbs
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1989, 19 hours before
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## 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 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright

## 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 19890926036299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890926036299A), Sep 26, 1989: Cessna 210B, Newport Beach, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit. Ditched in ocean offshore. Found crankshaft broken.

## Other investigations on N9615X (2)

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 LAX70D0163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0163), Oct 25, 1968: Cessna 210 (N9615X), Banning, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX67D0133](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0133), Sep 4, 1966: Cessna 210B (N9615X), Lone Pine, CA, substantial damage

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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