# NTSB NYC96LA141: Cessna 210, N131AC, Boston, MA, July 5, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 1996, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Boston, MA - Location: 42.3527° N, 70.9925° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from GENERAL EDWARD LAWRENCE LOGAN INTL (BOS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3527&lon=-70.9925&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39209 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39209/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA141 ## Probable cause a fracture failure of the crankcase, which resulted in separation of the number five cylinder, loss of engine power, and a ditched landing. ## 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,crankcase - fractured (cause) - engine assembly,cylinder - separation - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Ditching, emergency landing - terrain condition - water ## Analysis During cruise flight, about 6,000 feet, the pilot radioed '. . . I seem to have an engine problem, I am about facing and uh looking at Weymouth Airport right now. I'm not declaring an emergency at this moment, but I do need to about face.' The controller advised the pilot that a nearby airport was closed. The pilot elected to proceed to another airport. The pilot radioed that the engine's oil pressure and temperature were '. . . in the right zone . . . .'; he later radioed 'We have no power. I have oil on the windshield.' The airplane was unable to glide to the airport. The pilot then ditched along the shore line. Examination of the engine revealed that the number five cylinder separated from the crankcase, with its mounting studs and fractured crankcase material attached. The fracture to the crankcase resulted in a 3.5 inch hole forward of the number 3 cylinder. The origin of the fracture was not determine. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 1996, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210, N131AC, was substantially damaged when it ditched near Boston, Massachusetts. The private pilot and passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Plymouth Municipal, Plymouth, Massachusetts, about 1830, destined for Mountain View Field Airport, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview with the pilot, he stated that during cruise flight, at 6,000 feet, in the vicinity of S Weymouth Shea Airport, Weymouth, Massachusetts (NZW), the engine started running rough, and the airplane would not maintain altitude. He then informed the controller of the problem and that he did not want to declare an emergency. After conducting emergency procedures, the engine continued to run rough, and the pilot requested to land at NZW. The controller informed the pilot that NZW was closed and to proceed to General Edward Lawrence Logan International, Boston, Massachusetts (BOS). The pilot questioned the controller if they thought he could make BOS. The controller again told the pilot to proceed to BOS. About half way between NZW and BOS the engine lost total power; the pilot continued for a straight in approach to runway 33. The pilot stated that on short final, he realized the airplane would not reach the runway. The pilot then elected to ditch the airplane along the shore line. A review of the Air Traffic Control communications revealed that the pilot was requested by the controller to maintain 6,000 feet, at which time the pilot radioed, ". . .I seem to have an engine problem, I am about facing and uh looking at Weymouth Airport right now. I'm not declaring an emergency at this moment, but I do need to about face." Later, the controller radioed, ". . .Weymouth is closed, I don't know if I can uh have you put it down there. Do you wanna come into Boston?" The pilot responded "Well we're checking, let me see if I can ah find the problem and I'll be right back with you." The controller then radioed ". . .okay why don't we get you started towards Boston just in case." The pilot then proceeded to BOS. When questioned by the controller what the problem was, the pilot stated, "Just have a very rough running engine, uh I seem to have both oil pressure and uh heat in the right zone, but it is running very rough so I'm gonna have to put it down sir. The pilot later radioed, "We have no power. I have oil on the windshield." Examination of the engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector revealed that the number five cylinder separated from the crankcase, with the mounting studs and surrounding crankcase attached to the cylinder. The fracture to the crankcase resulted in a 3.5 inch hole forward of the number 3 cylinder. The origin of the fracture was not determine. In a statement submitted by the FAA Inspector it stated, "The number five cylinder walls do not show any unusual distress." It further stated, "The cylinder dome shows peening as do the intake and exhaust valves." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N131AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N131AC-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 57147, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 210 - Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 57147 - Engines: Continental IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel E. Jancaterino - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PYM, PLYMOUTH, MA - Destination: NH31, MOUNTAIN VIEW, NH - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: BOS, Gnrl Edwrd Lwrnc Lgn Itnl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 240 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 27,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BOS, 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 19960705016299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960705016299A), Jul 5, 1996: Cessna 210, Boston, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported rough running engine, tried to land, engine failed on short final to runway, landed in water. (-23) aircraft experienced catastrophic engine… 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.