Sunday, January 14, 2018

Cessna T210 Turbo Centurion, N761YZ: Fatal accident occurred December 16, 2017 near Batesville Airport (KHLB), Franklin County, Indiana


Dr. Amy Cantilena, 31, of Potomac, Maryland 

 Dr. Louis Cantilena, 63, of Potomac, Maryland, the pilot; and Dr. Paul Schuda, 65, of Arlington, Virginia.


The National Transportation Safety Board traveled to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Washington, District of Columbia
Textron Aviation; Wichita, Kansas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Superior Air Parts; Coppell, Texas


Location: Oldenburg, IN
Accident Number: CEN18FA053
Date & Time: 12/16/2017, 2058 EST
Registration: N761YZ
Aircraft: CESSNA T210M
Injuries: 3 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On December 16, 2017, about 2058 eastern standard time, a Cessna T210M airplane, N761YZ, impacted trees and terrain following a reported loss of engine power near Oldenburg, Indiana. A postimpact fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed. The pilot, pilot-rated passenger, and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was registered to N761YZ LLC and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was operated on an instrument flight rules flight plan and originated from the Columbus Municipal Airport (BAK), Columbus, Indiana, about 2039. The intended destination was the Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK), Frederick, Maryland.

The flight initially departed the Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), Kansas City, Missouri, about 1657, and landed at BAK about 1927. Airport records indicated that an individual associated with N761YZ purchased fuel from the self-service pump at 2032.

Air traffic control (ATC) data indicated that the accident flight departed from runway 23 at BAK. After takeoff, the airplane turned left and proceeded on an easterly course. The controller instructed the pilot to climb and maintain 11,000 feet mean sea level (msl). At 2052:00, the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 7,450 feet msl before it began a gradual descent. At 2052:30, the pilot transmitted "mayday, mayday, mayday." He informed the controller that they were experiencing a "partial engine failure" and "needed to get down." The airplane was about 26 miles east of BAK and approximately 4 miles southwest of the Batesville Airport (HLB) at that time. The pilot inquired about diverting to HLB. The controller confirmed that HLB was the closest airport, but also informed the pilot that the airport was listed as closed. The pilot subsequently over flew HLB about 4,000 feet msl, proceeded about 2 miles north, and executed a right 270-degree turn to a west heading. The final radar data point was recorded at 2057:28 and located about 1.5 miles northeast of the HLB runway 18 approach threshold. The altitude associated with the final data point was 1,050 feet msl.

The accident site was located in a wooded ravine about 0.65 mile northwest of the final radar data point, and about 1.44 miles north of the HLB runway 18 approach threshold, at an approximate elevation of 855 feet. The main wreckage came to rest about 202 feet northeast (316 degrees) from the initial tree strike. The main wreckage consisted of the fuselage, engine and right wing. The right-wing tip was separated and located in a tree about 35 feet above ground level near the initial tree strike. Fragments from the right aileron and right-wing flap were located on the ground near the initial tree strike. The left wing was separated and located about 60 feet from the main wreckage. The empennage and propeller were separated and located adjacent to each other, about 41 feet from the main wreckage.

The fuselage and right wing were damaged by the postimpact fire. The left wing and empennage exhibited sooting due to the fire. The right-wing tip, right aileron, and right flap fragments did not exhibit any fire damage or sooting. All flight control surfaces were present at the accident site. No anomalies with respect to a preimpact malfunction of the flight control system were observed. The engine remained attached to the firewall and the aft portion of the engine sustained fire damage. The propeller had separated at the engine crankshaft flange. A teardown examination of the engine revealed damage to the No. 4 cylinder and piston. Those components have been sent to the NTSB materials laboratory for further examination.

Federal Aviation Administration Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) data indicated that HLB was closed from December 6, 2017, until March 5, 2018. A representative of the airport reported that, because the airport was closed, no runway lighting was available. 

 


Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: CESSNA
Registration: N761YZ
Model/Series: T210M M
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Night/Dark
Observation Facility, Elevation: HLB, 975 ft msl
Observation Time: 2055 EST
Distance from Accident Site: 2 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 5°C / -2°C
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 5 knots, Variable
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 7500 ft agl
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.1 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Departure Point: Columbus, IN (BAK)
Destination: Frederick, MD (FDK) 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 2 Fatal
Aircraft Fire: On-Ground
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 3 Fatal
Latitude, Longitude: 39.372500, -85.248056

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