# NTSB WPR22LA060: Cessna P210N, N152BT, Hillsboro, OR, December 9, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 9, 2021, 15:44 local (23:44 UTC) - Place: Hillsboro, OR · 45.4284503,-122.9421569 - Coordinates: 45.42845, -122.94215 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4284&lon=-122.9421&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 104383 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA060 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104383/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104383 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA060 ## Probable cause The on-ground collision with a tree during an off airport precautionary landing. Contributing was the partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Ignition system: magneto/distributor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057414/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) - [Inspection: scheduled/routine inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel; cases with it: [Cessna P210N, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md?model=2073454), [All aircraft, 167 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: 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 was flying the airplane to an airport 7 miles from the departure airport after it had just received an annual inspection when the accident occurred. He reported the airplane was struggling to climb and maintain altitude and, being unsure he would make it to the destination airport, he elected to return to the departure airport. After he verified that the engine controls were at their correct positions, he saw the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) spike on three cylinders. He adjusted the mixture to cool the cylinders but the EGTs remained elevated, so he landed the airplane in an orchard, which resulted in substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizers. A postaccident engine run and examination of the engine revealed that the right magneto was not operational due to corrosion build-up inside the magneto. A review of the maintenance records revealed that the right magneto was last serviced about 609 hours before the accident; the last 500-hour inspection was completed about 850.7 hours; and the last overhaul was completed 1,386 hours (about 19 years) before the accident, respectively. It is likely that the inoperable magneto reduced the power output and prevented the pilot from maintaining altitude. ## Factual narrative On December 9, 2021, about 1544 Pacific standard time, a Cessna P210N, N152BT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hillsboro, Oregon. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane had just been returned to service following its annual inspection when the accident occurred. He departed and turned northbound towards his destination airport, which was about 7 nautical miles (nm) away. The pilot stated that the airplane “struggled” to climb and at an altitude of about 1,100 ft agl the airplane began to lose altitude. He decided that the airplane wouldn’t reach the runway at the destination airport, so he turned back towards the departure airport for a precautionary landing. During this time, he verified that his magnetos, fuel, mixture, propeller, and throttle settings were in their correct positions. Shortly after, he saw spikes in the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) of three cylinders; he adjusted the mixture to try to cool the cylinders but the EGTs remained in the red arc. The pilot then initiated a precautionary landing in an orchard and the airplane came to rest upright between trees. The right and left horizontal stabilizers sustained substantial damage. A postaccident engine run was performed. When the right magneto was selected the engine ran up to 30 inches of manifold pressure and 2500-2600 rpm. When the left magneto was selected, the engine sound changed consistent with the engine shutting down. When both magnetos were selected, the engine ran up to 22 inches of manifold pressure and about 2200 rpm. When the magnetos were turned to the OFF position, the engine changed sound, consistent with the engine shutting down. The ignition harness was examined and the wires from the magneto to the ignition block revealed that the left magneto was set to the right switch terminal and the right magneto was set to the left switch terminal. Subsequently, both magnetos were removed and examined. The left magneto was unremarkable. The right magneto was found to have corrosion and green residue built up within the magneto. A chemical analysis of the residue revealed that the substance was primarily composed of copper and silicon (dirt), along with polyamide, which likely originated from the nylon gears. A review of the engine logbook revealed that the right magneto was last removed and serviced about 609 hours before the accident. Furthermore, the recommended Champion Aerospace 4300-6300 Series Magneto Maintenance and Overhaul Manual (500-hour overhaul) was last performed on the right magneto about 850.7 hours and the last overhaul was completed about 1389 hours (19 years) before the accident. According to the magneto manufacturer, corrosion is not an acceptable condition and corroded components should be cleaned or replaced as necessary. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed noadditional mechanical anomalies or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N152BT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N152BT), registered now, S/N P21000486, 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: P21000486 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 4619.4 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Coho Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Coho Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2021, 0.5 hours before - Departed: 7S3, Hillsboro, OR - Destination: HIO, Hillsboro, OR - Airport: 7S3, Stark'S Twin Oaks Airpark - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 23, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 748 total, 402 in this make and model, 589 as pilot in command, 16.5 in the last 90 days, 3.9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken ## 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 20211209020949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211209020949A), Dec 9, 2021: Cessna P210N, Hillsboro, OR, Substantial damage. N152BY departed 7S3 on December 9, 2021 at 1540 PST. On climb out, the pilot testified that the CE-210 lost power, and he was forced to land the aircraft in an… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 3, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104383. 497 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 5.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13851002&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20060_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Post accident exam notes (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16630679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20060-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 6 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16630976&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos%20060-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record - materials lab (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16629883&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20Materials%20Lab-Rel.pdf - Magneto maintenance and overhaul excerpt (item 5, PDF, 8 pages, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16630197&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Magneto%20Manufacturer%20Troubleshooting%20Chart-Rel.pdf - Engine logbook entries (item 6, PDF, 15 pages, 489 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16630899&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Engine%20Logbook%20Entries_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of wreckage (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16631183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20060_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 8, PDF, 2 pages, 140 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16631058&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form%20060-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.