The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entities:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; San Antonio, Texas
Continental Motors; Mobile, Alabama
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Port Lavaca, Texas
Accident Number: CEN19LA069
Date and Time: January 10, 2019, 16:50 Local
Registration: N2391S
Aircraft: Cessna T210
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
While on approach to land, the airplane’s engine lost total power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a soft field, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane. There was a delay in recovering the airplane, and fuel quantity and quality at the time of the accident could not be verified. An examination of the engine and engine components did not detect any anomalies which would have contributed to a loss of engine power.
The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Findings
Aircraft (general) - Unknown/Not determined
Factual Information
On January 10, 2019, about 1650 central standard time, a Cessna T210L airplane, N2391S, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Port Lavaca, Texas. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to information collected by the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot was at 2,800 ft mean sea level, and on a base leg to runway 14 at the Calhoun County Airport (PKV), Port Lavaca, Texas, when the engine suddenly stopped producing power. The pilot switched fuel tanks and attempted a restart twice and then turned on the fuel pump. Engine power was not restored, and the pilot prepared for a forced landing to a field. When the airplane touched down in the field, the nose gear sank into the soft soil and the airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger were able to egress with minor injuries.
Due to a U.S. Government furlough and wet accident site conditions, the airplane remained inverted for about 6 weeks before it was recovered. Once recovered, an examination was conducted on the engine. No anomalies were detected with the engine which would have precluded normal operation. Trace fuel was found in the fuel lines. However, due to the delayed recovery of the inverted airplane, fuel quantity and quality could not be verified.
The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.
History of Flight
Approach-VFR pattern final Unknown or undetermined
Approach-VFR pattern final Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 35
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present:
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: Last
Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time:
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N2391S
Model/Series: T210 L
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 21061267
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats:
Date/Type of Last Inspection:
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT:
Engine Model/Series: IO-520-L
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 300 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPKV, 30 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 16:55 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 239°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 110°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.22 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 17°C / 9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination:
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time:
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: CALHOUN COUNTY PKV
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 32 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: 14
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5004 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 28.67,-96.680831(est)
Two people were injured following a plane crash near the Calhoun County Airport Thursday evening.
A Cessna T210L Turbo Centurion II plane crashed in a field on the south side of School Road near the airport.
Harold Woodward, 68, of Girard, along with Tracie Bruning, 57, of Robert Lee, were the two passengers in the plane, according to Ruben San Miguel of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
San Miguel said that Woodward told Texas Department of Public Safety that the plane engine died and he had to make an emergency landing. San Miguel added that due to the moisture of the ground, the front wheel dug into the dirt and caused the plane to flip forward and rest on its top.
Woodward suffered a laceration on his face and Bruning was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Port Lavaca with neck and back pain. Their injuries were not life threatening.
The crash site is currently vacated by Texas Department of Public Safety and law enforcement agencies until Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board other agencies investigate the crash tomorrow concluded San Miguel. Calhoun County EMS, Port Lavaca Fire Department and Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the call.
Original article can be found here ➤ http://www.portlavacawave.com
If I was flying a retractable gear plane and had to make a forced landing in a field, I would leave the gear UP and slide it in on its belly. Would have resulted in less damage.
ReplyDeleteWell from the air I'm sure this soil looked pretty solid unlike say a beach where a belly landing is a no-brainer with a retractable. It's all a judgement. The 210 can handle soft fields just fine...just not hidden very soft soil or dips. Based on the ground photo, I'd probably have put down with gear down as well.
ReplyDeleteThat part of the world is black land gumbo (sticky, deep, mud) when it's wet. He missed the road. He didn't manage his fuel very well. Sad to see a Centurion destroyed for no reason but happy the pilot and passenger survived.
ReplyDeleteTrue.
ReplyDeleteI have a few hundred hours on a normally aspirated 210. Long IFR night flights across Europe with six on board, including luggage. Even in not forecast ice, which it handled very well.
I loved the massive control horns, which could get heavy though during flare if only 2 on board.
Once I had to train a new owner who had little experience after doing his PPL check, after 25 hours he more or less could fly it. Then I loaded it up with 4 more guys and I had the feeling to start all over again.... he barely flew it solo, then it got stored for a VERY long time... Although I recently heard it is flying again after being re-engined.
It was the time we flew without headsets, let alone noise cancelling ones.
A wonder I still can hear properly 45 Years later.....
I never really wanted to own a plane, but I always said that if I, one day, should have more than enough financial possibilities, I would have bought a 182 or 210.
FYI, owning a plane in Europe is vastly more expensive than in the US.
It did have a strange quirk, which at that time nobody could solve. Once in a while, mostly during those long night flights in relative silence, the hydraulic pump started without any reason. Sure made us sit up wide awake!