# NTSB WPR12FA222: Cessna P210N, N732JL, Glendale, CA, May 22, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 21, 2012, 21:10 local (May 22, 2012, 04:10 UTC) - Place: Glendale, CA - Coordinates: 34.239444, -118.368057 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2394&lon=-118.3681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 20, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Continental Motors, Inc., Hartzell Engine Tech, Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 83711 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12FA222 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83711/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83711 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12FA222 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power during descent for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-descent: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a cross-country flight, as he descended below 9,000 feet mean sea level, he encountered a severe surging of the engine and a reduction in power. The pilot declared an emergency, and he was advised by air traffic control of the two nearest airports. The pilot maneuvered the airplane towards one of the airports. Due to the reduction in power and loss of altitude, the pilot determined that he would be unable to land at the airport, and, therefore, he elected to land on a city street. The airplane impacted trees and a telephone pole before coming to rest inverted in the front yard of a residence. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was removed from the airframe and prepared for an engine test run. The engine was started and operated for several minutes at various power settings. Further testing of components from the turbocharger system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The cause of the surging and partial loss of engine power could not be determined. ## Factual narrative The engine was a Continental Motors TSIO-520 P6B, serial number 513947. Total time recorded on the engine at the last annual inspection was 375.6 hours, and time since major overhaul was 375.6 hours. Fueling records at Phoenix established that the airplane was last fueled on May 21, 2012, with the addition of 40 gallons of 100-octane aviation fuel. Examination of the logbook records for the airplane and engine revealed no recent maintenance issues. On May 21, 2012, about 2110 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna P210N, N732JL, impacted a power pole and tree during a forced landing, and came to rest inverted in the front yard of a residence near Glendale, California. The co-owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Phoenix, Arizona, about 1810 mountain standard time, with a planned destination of Van Nuys, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that while descending below 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl) he experienced a severe surging of the engine and a partial loss of engine power. The engine surging occurred several times before he advised air traffic controllers that he had an emergency, and needed the closest airport. The controller advised the pilot that the nearest airport was El Monte airport (EMT), El Monte, California, which was located behind him and to the south. He was also told that Bob Hope Airport (BUR), Burbank, California, was in front of him. The pilot was familiar with BUR and felt it was his best choice to attempt to land at BUR. As the pilot got closer to the airport, he determined he was not going to be able to land at the airport due to the loss in altitude from the power loss. He attempted to land on a quiet street but he did not see the power lines until it was too late. The airplane impacted trees and a telephone/power pole on the northwest corner of Cleveland Road and Glenwood Road in the city of Glendale. The airplane continued westbound hitting another oak tree and a vehicle. The airplane came to rest inverted in the front yard of a residence on Glenwood Road. The National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge responded to the scene and documented the accident site prior to the recovery of the airplane. The pilot reported that he had the airplane refueled to capacity prior to departing Phoenix, Arizona, with the addition of 40 gallons of 100 LL Avgas. Investigators examined the wreckage at Aircraftsman, Inc., Chino, California, on June 11, 2012. The airframe and engine were examined with no mechanical anomalies identified that would have precluded normal operation. The engine and components from the turbocharger system were subsequently removed and shipped to the manufacturers for further examination. Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM)personnel examined the engine under the supervision of the Safety Board at the factory in Mobile, Alabama, on August 23, 2012. The engine was removed and prepared for an engine test run. The engine was started and ran for several minutes at various power settings with no noted mechanical anomalies. The examination report is attached to the docket. There were no anomalies noted that would have precluded normal operation. On August 24, 2012, investigators transported components from the turbocharger system (Absolute Pressure Controller, Waste Gate Assembly, and the Pressure Relief Valve) to Hartzell Engine Technologies located in Montgomery, Alabama, for functional testing and examination. Further testing of components from the turbocharger system revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The examination report is attached to the docket. The debris field was approximately 120 feet in length from the first identified point of impact to the main wreckage. There was a strong odor of aviation fuel at the accident site. The recovery company also recovered fuel in the right wing tanks. The left wing tanks were breeched during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N732JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732JL-2018-01-08), registration cancelled 2018-01-08, S/N P21000582, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N - Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: P21000582 - Airframe hours: 4487.9 - Engines: CONT MOTOR TSIO-520 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roth James E - Registered owner: Heng Allen K - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2011, 39 hours before - Departed: PHX, Phoenix, AZ - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 825 total, 500 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KBUR, 4 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 20120521009659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120521009659A), May 21, 2012: Cessna P210N, Glendale, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot enroute to van nuys, CA from pheonix, AZ, when aircraft began to have power surge west of el monte, CA. Pilot was unable to maintain power thus had to… ## Docket (10 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83711. 22.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Roth (item 2, .PDF, 19 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Roth-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Accident Site (item 3, .PDF, 6.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Accident Site (item 4, .PDF, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420711&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Accident%20Site-Master.PDF - CMI Engine Report (item 5, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420712&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Engine%20Report-Master.PDF - CMI Component Examination (item 6, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=CMI%20Component%20Examination-Redacted.PDF - Turbo Charger Assembly Examination (item 7, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420714&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Turbo%20Charger%20Assembly%20Examination-Master.PDF - Accident Examination Report (item 8, .PDF, 516 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420715&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Examination%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 9, .PDF, 586 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420716&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 10, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420717&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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.