# NTSB MIA85FA081: Cessna 210M, N6164N, Stuart, FL, January 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1985, 21:30 local (Jan 16, 1985, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Stuart, FL
- Location: 27.1953° N, 80.2437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stuart, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1953&lon=-80.2437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA081

## 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,piston - fatigue (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT ENG FAILED IN FLT & THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT NIGHT IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE FIELD WAS ON SANDY TERRAIN THAT HAD BEEN CONTOURED TO BE AN ORANGE GROVE. WHILE LANDING ON THE UNEVEN SOFT TERRAIN, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #2 PISTON PIN & CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. FATIGUE CRACKS WERE NOTED IN THE FRACTURE AREA OF BOTH PARTS. THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT THE PISTON PIN HAD FAILED 1ST, THEN THE ROD FAILED & PENETRATED THE ENG CASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6164N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6164N-2023-06-06), registration cancelled 2023-06-06, S/N 21062935, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210M
- Registry model: [Cessna 210M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210m) (registry code 2073450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061288
- Airframe hours: 2292
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Chapman Air Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MIA, MIAMI, FL
- Destination: ORL, ORLANDO, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,464 total, 306 in this make and model, 1,403 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 34 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 19850115061689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850115061689A), Jan 15, 1985: Cessna 210M, Stuart, FL, Substantial damage. Sudden power loss during dark night cruise flight. Landed in a field. Number 2 cylinder piston pin had failed.

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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