# NTSB MIA93FA109: Cessna TU206D, N72158, Culebra, PR, April 25, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1993, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC)
- Place: Culebra, PR
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33179
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93FA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33179/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93FA109

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT THAT ORIGINATED FROM A HEAT CHECK CRACK IN THE JOURNAL, ADJACENT TO THE #2 MAIN JOURNAL FORWARD FILLET.

## 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
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT AT ABOUT 2000 FEET OVER WATER, A PARTIAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED, FOLLOWED BY A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN ENGINE RESTART WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS AND DITCHED AT THE MOUTH OF A BAY IN OCEAN WATERS. HE WAS FATALLY INJURED, BUT THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED ONLY MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RECOVERED, AND AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE CRACKING.  FATIGUE HAD INITIATED AT A HEAT CHECK CRACK IN THE JOURNAL AT A POSITION ABOUT 0.2 INCH AFT OF THE #2 MAIN JOURNAL FORWARD FILLET & PROPAGATED THROUGH THE ADJACENT #4 CHEEK.  THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF GALLING OF THE #2 MAIN JOURNAL BY CONTACT WITH THE ASSOCIATED BEARING, WHICH RESULTED IN HEAT CHECKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72158](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72158-2013-05-06), registration cancelled 2013-05-06, S/N U206-1301, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206D
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206d) (registry code 2073344) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-1301
- Airframe hours: 3719
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Florez, Eusebio
- Registered owner: Florez, Eusebio
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1992, 22 hours before
- Departed: TUPJ, TORTOLA, OF
- Destination: SIG, ISLE GRANDE, PR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 324 total, 324 in this make and model, 291 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIST, 16 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 19930425010449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930425010449A), Apr 25, 1993: Cessna TU206D, Culebra, Puerto Rico, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost power. Ditched in ocean. Crankshaft failed due to fatigue. Initiated on NR2 journal.

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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