# NTSB LAX91FA213: Cessna 207A, N6280H, Grand Canyon, AZ, May 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1991, 13:19 local (20:19 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029685, -112.020149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-112.0201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 7 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA213
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA213

## Probable cause

DETONATION (OR PRE-IGNITION) IN THE NUMBER 1 CYLINDER, WHICH RESULTED IN EROSION (BURNING) OF THE NUMBER 1 PISTON AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING.

## 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,cylinder - overtemperature (cause)
  - engine assembly,piston - burned (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO A WOODED AREA ABOUT 8 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF. EVIDENCE AT THE WRECKAGE SITE REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE CRASHED THROUGH THE TREES AT A GLIDE ANGLE OF 8 DEGREES. THE GLIDE ANGLE FOR A POWER-OFF FORCED LANDING IS 6 DEGREES ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK. THE PROPELLER DID NOT EXHIBIT ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE #1 CYLINDER HAD CATASTROPHIC DETONATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6280H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6280H-1995-09-01), registration cancelled 1995-09-01, S/N 20700463 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 207A
- Registry model: [Cessna T207A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t207a) (registry code 2073614) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 207-00463
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Air Grand Canyon
- Registered owner: Air Grand Canyon
- Departed: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,168 total, 36 in this make and model, 1,070 as pilot in command, 98 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 11 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: GCN, 8 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 19910513015449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910513015449A), May 13, 1991: Cessna 207A, Grand Canyon, AZ, No damage, 7 fatal. Crashed into trees and burned on sightseeing flight. NR1 cylinder had catastrophic failure due detonation.

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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