# NTSB LAX97LA307: Cessna T210M, N761HQ, San Martin, CA, August 29, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 1997, 15:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: San Martin, CA - Coordinates: 37.099727, -121.599052 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0997&lon=-121.5991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29889 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29889/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA307 ## Probable cause Installation of improper connecting hardware by maintenance personnel, and, the inadequate inspection of the installed hardware by inspection personnel resulting in separation of the engine throttle linkage. ## 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 - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected - throttle/power lever,linkage - loose part/bolt/nut/clamp/etc - maintenance,replacement - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - fence - terrain condition - roadway/highway - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a post-maintenance check flight of the aircraft following an annual inspection completed the prior day. During repairs associated with the annual inspection, the three engine control cables were replaced. While in cruise flight the engine lost power and the pilot attempted to glide to an emergency landing. He overshot the 3,100-foot-long runway and went off the departure end. When the engine was uncowled, the bolt which connects the throttle control to the throttle body actuator arm was missing. The bolt was found in the bottom of the cowling, but the nut was not located. The bolt did not comply with an applicable Airworthiness Directive. The pilot opined that after the throttle control separated, the engine may not have gone completely to the idle power position and the resulting partial engine power may have contributed to the landing overshoot. The pilot stated that he was wearing a headset and could not hear the engine well enough to detect a partial power condition. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 1997, at 1510 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T210M, N761HQ, overshot the landing runway and impacted a fence and terrain at South County Airport, San Martin, California. The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the post-maintenance check flight. The flight departed from the San Jose International Airport about 1430. The pilot told an inspector from the San Jose Flight Standards District Office that he was conducting the check flight of the aircraft following an annual inspection, which was completed the prior day. While in cruise flight, the engine lost power and he attempted to glide to runway 32 for an emergency landing. He overshot the 3,100-foot-long runway and went off the departure end. The inspector reported that when the engine was uncowled, the bolt which connects the throttle control to the throttle body actuator arm was missing. The bolt was found in the bottom of the cowling, but the nut was not located. Subsequent investigation revealed that, during maintenance associated with the inspection, the throttle, propeller and mixture control cables had been replaced. The bolt found in the bottom of the cowling was an improper type that did not comply with an applicable Airworthiness Directive. In his report to the Safety Board, the pilot stated that after the throttle control separated, the engine may not have gone completely to the idle power position and the resulting partial engine power may have contributed to the landing overshoot. The pilot stated that he was wearing a headset and could not hear the engine well enough to detect a partial power condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N761HQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N761HQ-2018-01-29), registration cancelled 2018-01-29, S/N 21062273, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna T210M - Registry model: [Cessna T210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210m) (registry code 2073451) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21062273 - Airframe hours: 2680 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-R1A 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Squadron Two Flying Club Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1997, 1 hours before - Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA - Airport: Q99, South County, runway 32, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,018 total, 26 in this make and model, 5,083 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 12 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SJC, 300 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 19970829024909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970829024909A), Aug 29, 1997: Cessna T210M, San Martin, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft landed in a field near airport after aircraft engine lost power and aircraft overshot runway, landing. (.4)the pilot was conducting a post-maintenance… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.