# NTSB LAX90FA007: Cessna T207A, N7602U, Grand Canyon, AZ, October 10, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1989, 12:42 local (19:42 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029907, -112.020851 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0299&lon=-112.0209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26594
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26594/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA007

## Probable cause

THE INFLIGHT FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S POWERPLANT AS A RESULT METAL FATIGUE WHICH ALLOWED THE CRANKSHAFT TO FRACTURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OF THE GRAND CANYON WHICH DID NOT ALLOW A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,partial (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING A SCENIC TOUR WHEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS TO THE FULLEST TANK AND POWER WAS REGAINED MOMENTARILY. THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PROPELLER DID NOT WINDMILL. THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN RUGGED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FRACTURED. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED SUBSURFACE METAL FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7602U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7602U-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N 20700442 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T207A
- Registry model: [Cessna T207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t207a) (registry code 2073614) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20700442
- Airframe hours: 6302
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Aviation Services West
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 6, 1989, 92 hours before
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,765 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 2,554 as pilot in command, 304 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCN

## 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 19891010039569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891010039569A), Oct 10, 1989: Cessna T207A, Grand Canyon, AZ, Destroyed. Ran a tank dry. Restart on other then engine quit. Crash landed in Canyon. Crankshaft had failed due to fatigue.

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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