# NTSB LAX91LA048: Cessna T-206, N8655Z, Tonto Basin, AZ, December 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1990, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Tonto Basin, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.829418, -111.25942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8294&lon=-111.2594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27071
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27071/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA048

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD IN THE ENGINE.

## 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
  - single engine aircraft
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
  - fluid,oil - starvation (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING A 9,500 FT MSL THE PILOT, ALSO THE REGISTERED OWNER, OBSERVED AN INCREASE IN OIL TEMPERATURE FOLLOWED BY A DECREASE IN OIL PRESSURE. MOMENTS LATER OIL SMOKE EMANATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE SUN BLINDED THE PILOT WHILE ON APPROACH TO A DIRT STRIP AND WHEN HE WAS ABLE TO SEE THE DIRT STRIP THE AIRPLANE'S ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT TO NEGOTIATE A LANDING ON THE STRIP. THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN ADJACENT OPEN AREA. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK A BARN. ENGINE EXAM DSCLSD THE NO. 3 CONNECTING ROD FAILED AND ITS ASSOCIATED BEARING EXHIBITED EXTREME HIGH TEMP DISTRESS. DURING THE LAST ANNUAL INSP THE OIL ANALYSIS SHOWED HIGH CONCERTRATION OF IRON AND STEEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8655Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8655Z-1992-12-18), registration cancelled 1992-12-18, S/N P2060455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T-206
- Registry model: [Cessna TP206C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tp206c) (registry code 2073313) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P-2060455
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pagani, Ronald
- Registered owner: Ronald Pagani
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 22, 1989, 78 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: SOW, SHOW LOW, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 330 in this make and model, 650 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19901202052349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901202052349A), Dec 2, 1990: Cessna TP206A, Punkin Center, AZ, Substantial damage. Threw a connecting rod en route. Tried for dirt strip but landed short. Metal found in oil 6 months prior accident.

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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