# NTSB LAX92LA035: Cessna 210, N59157, San Diego, CA, November 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1991, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Location: 32.7153° N, 117.1573° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Diego, CA, within about 10 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7153&lon=-117.1573&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27494
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27494/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA035

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO UNKNOWN REASON(S).  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN TO LAND THE AIRPLANE, WITHOUT INCURRING DAMAGE TO THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - powerplant - failure,total (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined
  - emergency procedure - attempted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - residential area
  - terrain condition - none suitable
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE REDUCING POWER DURING A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH FOR LANDING, THE ENGINE HAD A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED A POWER OFF, GEAR UP FORCED LANDING IN A CONGESTED AREA.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED ON ROUGH, UNEVEN TERRAIN CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  THE PILOT THOUGHT THE ENGINE MAY HAVE HAD A VAPOR LOCK.  FAA INSPECTORS EXAMINED THE AIRCRAFT AND FOUND ABOUT 8 GALLONS OF NON-CONTAMINATED FUEL IN EACH FUEL TANK.  THEY ALSO PERFORMED AN OPERATIONAL CHECK ON THE ENGINE AND OPERATED THE ENGINE THROUGHOUT NORMAL OPERATIONAL LIMITS WITH NO ABNORMALITIES NOTED.  AIRCRAFT RECORDS WERE REVIEWED WITH NO DISCREPANCIES NOTED.  ALL AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES, INCLUDING THOSE PERTAINING TO VAPOR LOCK, WERE NOTED AS BEING COMPLIED WITH.  NO CAUSE FOR THE POWER LOSS WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59157](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59157-1993-01-20), registration cancelled 1993-01-20, S/N 21060129 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21060129
- Airframe hours: 1601
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: San Diego Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: San Diego Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 1 hours before
- Departed: SEE, EL CAJON, CA
- Destination: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 653 total, 283 in this make and model, 653 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF, 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 19911102048769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911102048769A), Nov 2, 1991: Cessna 210L, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on power reduction during landing approach. Landed gear up rough field.

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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