# NTSB NYC96LA100: Cessna P206D, N8744Z, Harrison, NY, May 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 1996, 16:54 local (20:54 UTC) - Place: Harrison, NY - Coordinates: 40.970153, -73.730117 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9702&lon=-73.7301&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA100 ## Probable cause separation of the number one connecting rod bolt, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## 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, approach - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis The pilot stated that while returning to the airport during cruise flight, 'the engine suddenly started shaking violently....Then smoke started coming out of the front of the engine compartment. Suddenly the engine and [propeller] stopped cold. I realized that we could not make it to the runway and we then quickly decided to head for the water.' Examination of the engine revealed a 1 inch hole in the crankcase in the vicinity of the #2 cylinder, and the #1 connecting rod bolt had separated. The bolt was not located for further examination. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 1996, about 1654 eastern daylight time, a Cessna P206D, N8744Z, was substantially damaged when the airplane was ditched in a reservoir during a visual approach to Westchester County Airport, Harrison, New York. The private pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that departed about 1630. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot reported that he and a passenger departed Westchester County Airport on a local flight with the intent to demonstrate the airplane to the passenger, a prospective partnership buyer. During the return flight, while in cruise, the pilot stated that "the engine suddenly started shaking violently. . . .Then smoke started coming out of the front of the engine compartment. Suddenly the engine and [propeller] stopped cold. I realized that we could not make it to the runway and we then quickly decided to head for the water." The passenger reported that during the visual approach to runway 34 at 1400' MSL the engine lost power and blue smoke entered the cabin. He observed the tachometer at 2000 RPM and then about 1000' MSL, the engine lost total power, and the propeller stopped. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector revealed a 1" square hole in the crankcase in the vicinity of the number two cylinder. The engine was examined by Alphin Aircraft Inc., Hagerstown, Maryland. The examination revealed that the number one connecting rod bolt had separated; however, the bolt was not located for further examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8744Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8744Z-1996-07-11), registration cancelled 1996-07-11, S/N P2060544 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna P206D - Registry model: [Cessna P206D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206d) (registry code 2073338) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P206D-0544 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: Continental IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: George J. Colon - Registered owner: Cds Aircraft - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1995, 30 hours before - Departed: HPN - Airport: HPN, Westchester County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 813 total, 687 in this make and model, 742 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HPN, 1 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 19960505036249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960505036249A), May 5, 1996: Cessna P206D, White Plains, NY, Substantial damage. Local flight engine began shake then quit. Smoke. Ditched in reservoir. NR1 connecting rod bolt broken and missing. 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.