# NTSB MIA94LA024: Cessna U206F, N8260Q, Tampa, FL, November 19, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 19, 1993, 07:48 local (12:48 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL
- Coordinates: 27.999382, -82.509292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9994&lon=-82.5093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37461
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37461/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA024

## Probable cause

WAS THE IMPROPER OVERHAUL AND INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## 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, climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total
  - maintenance,overhaul,major - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTURE ON INITIAL CLIMB THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO WATER. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE NO.3 CYLINDER CONNECTING ROD BOLTS HAD FAILED. THE COMPANY DIRECTOR OF MAINTENANCE STATED HE REUSED THE CONNECTING ROD BOLTS AT THE LAST ENGINE OVERHAUL AND DID NOT INSPECT THEM AS REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINE OVERHAUL MANUAL.

## Factual narrative

On November 19, 1993, about 0748 eastern standard time, N8260Q, a Cessna U206F, operated by Red Baron Aviation, as a 14 CFR Part 135 on demand, domestic, cargo flight, crashed in Tampa Bay, after takeoff from Tampa International Airport, Tampa, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed and activated. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot and an observer reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot stated that after departure the airplane did not appear to climb normally and the engine then began to lose power. He then executed a forced landing to Tampa Bay and the airplane flipped and sank. Examination of the engine by FAA personnel revealed that the No. 3 connecting rod had become loose and the connecting rod bolts were found failed. Examination of the failed bolts was accomplished by the NTSB metallurgical laboratory. The bolts were badly smeared and no determination of the failure sequence was possible. The director of maintenance at Red Baron stated that when he accomplished the recent engine overhaul in July 1993, he reused the connecting rod bolts without inspection by magnaflux as required by the manufacturer's overhaul manual.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8260Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8260Q-1995-05-18), registration cancelled 1995-05-18, S/N U20603121 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 03121
- Airframe hours: 4129
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Red Baron Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Gallops Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1993, 89 hours before
- Destination: RSW, FORT MYERS, FL
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,761 total, 122 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TPA

## 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 19931119046199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931119046199A), Nov 19, 1993: Cessna U206F, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Ditched in bay. NR3 connecting rod came loose. Bolts failed. Bolts reused on overhaul.

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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