# NTSB MIA94LA090: Cessna TU206F, N8319Q, Crystal River, FL, March 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1994, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Crystal River, FL
- Location: 28.8955° N, 82.6019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crystal River, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.8955&lon=-82.6019&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 14, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37507/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA090

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE NO 1 PISTON CONNECTING ROD FOR UNDETERMINED CAUSES. THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTED A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE FOLLOWED BY A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. HE TURNED TO THE NEAREST LAND AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING. WHEN HE REALIZED HE WOULD NOT MAKE LAND HE DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN THE SEA. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE AFTER RECOVERY REVEALED THE NO.1 PISTON CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED AND PENETRATED THE ENGINE CRANKCASE. DUE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACES THE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.

## Factual narrative

On March 8,1994, about 1310 eastern standard time, N8319Q, a Cessna TU206F ditched in the water adjacent to Crystal River, Florida, after experiencing a partial power loss while on a 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. The airplane is registered to and operated by Sunshine Community Inc. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported no injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight had originated from Birmingham, Alabama, about 1 hour 45 minutes earlier.

The pilot stated that while in cruise flight at 11,500 feet the engine lost oil pressure, began to run rough, and lose power. He attempted to glide to the shore but realized he could not make it. The airplane was ditched and the pilot was immediately recovered by a passing boat. The airplane was recovered and examination of the engine by an FAA inspector revealed the No.1 cylinder connecting rod had failed and penetrated the engine crankcase. The connecting rod was removed and examined, but due to damage to the failed surfaces the cause for the failure could not be determined.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8319Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8319Q-1995-02-21), registration cancelled 1995-02-21, S/N U20603180 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TU206F
- Registry model: [Cessna TU206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tu206f) (registry code 2073353) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 03180
- Airframe hours: 985
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520C reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Sunrise Community Inc.
- Registered owner: Sunrise Community Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1993
- Departed: BGM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Destination: TMB, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 400 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 38 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 19940308003979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940308003979A), Mar 8, 1994: Cessna TU206F, Crystal River, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Ditched in gulf. Engine thru a rod through engine case.

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.