# NTSB WPR21LA194: Cessna 210, N7350E, Lake Arrowhead, CA, May 15, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 15, 2021, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Lake Arrowhead, CA - Coordinates: 34.263639, -117.15866 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2636&lon=-117.1587&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Textron Aviation, Inc, FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 103087 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103087/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103087 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA194 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power due to a malfunction of the fuel flow manifold valve. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fuel system: fuel distribution](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022820/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the engine lost partial, then total, power while flying over mountainous terrain. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a clearing, during which the airplane collided with vegetation and came to rest upright on a steep slope, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the fuel flow manifold valve failed to open when fuel pressure was applied on a test stand. The fuel flow manifold valve was disassembled; tooling marks were observed on the plunger, and the seal near the plunger was deformed and not seated flat on the manifold body. The plunger assembly and diaphragm were substituted in the fuel flow manifold valve, reattached to the test stand, and performed within manufacturer specifications. The malfunction of the fuel flow manifold likely resulted in the total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On May 16, 2021, about 1545 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 210 airplane, N7350E, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Arrowhead, California. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, while climbing through an altitude of about 8,500 ft mean sea level (msl), while enroute to Big Bear Airport (L35), Big Bear City, California, he noted a partial loss of engine power. He contacted air traffic control and was provided with alternate airports and current weather information. While over mountainous terrain, the engine lost total power. Concerned that he did not have sufficient altitude to clear rising terrain, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a clearing on sloped terrain. The airplane subsequently collided with vegetation and came to rest upright on a steep slope. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both wings and the fuselage were substantially damaged. A subsequent examination of the airplane revealed the upper and lower spark plug electrode areas were black in color. Additional examination of the fuel flow manifold valve, throttle body/fuel control, and engine-driven fuel pump revealed a malfunction of the fuel flow manifold valve plunger, which prevented normal operation. The fuel flow manifold valve was connected to a test stand, and the valve failed to open when fuel pressure was applied. The fuel flow manifold valve was disassembled, and tooling marks were observed on the plunger. The seal near the plunger was deformed and not seated flat on the manifold body. The diaphragm spring was longer when compared to a normal spring. Tooling marks were observed on the fuel flow manifold plunger, as seen in Figure 1. The plunger assembly and diaphragm were substituted in the fuel flow manifold valve. The fuel flow manifold valve was reattached to the test stand and performed within manufacturer specifications when tested. A review of the airplane’s maintenance records could not determine if any maintenance had been performed on the fuel flow manifold valve. Figure 1. View of tooling marks on fuel flow manifold valve plunger ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7350E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7350E), registered now, S/N 57050, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210 - Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 57050 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 2113 - Engines: Continental IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jerry Muszynski - Registered owner: Jerry Muszynski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2020, 4.1 hours before - Departed: KCNO, Chino, CA - Destination: KL35, Big Bear City, CA - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 69; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 25, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 781.7 total, 491 in this make and model, 727.9 as pilot in command, 4.7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 68; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: right; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 7 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KSBD, 11 nm away - METAR: KSBD 162254Z 32007KT 7SM OVC045 17/09 A2998 ## 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 20210515013219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210515013219A), May 15, 2021: Cessna 210, Lake Arrowhead, CA, Destroyed. On may 15, 2021 approximately 2154 zulu time a pilot reported engine trouble over the mountains near Lake Arrowhead California while following a foreflight… ## Other investigations on N7350E (2) 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. - [NTSB SEA91LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA149), Jun 21, 1991: Cessna 210 (N7350E), Salt Lake City, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS IN THAT HE FAILED TO ANTICIPATE WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE DEPARTING HELICOPTER. - [NTSB OAK72FVG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FVG07), Jul 18, 1971: Cessna 210 (N7350E), Rio Vista, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 15, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103087. 8.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12466061&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Pilot%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of e-mail correspondence (A&P) (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13130499&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20e-mail%20correspondence%20(A%26P)-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine exam (item 3, PDF, 9 pages, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12377913&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA194%20Air%20Frame%20and%20Engine%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Fuel system components exam (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 893 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13059932&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA194%20Fuel%20System%20Components%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13060103&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidance%20Tracking_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation - tai (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 247 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12377503&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Party%20Form%20WPR21LA194%20TAI_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 7, PDF, 6 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13059550&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.