Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

December 21, 1995 · Cessna T210N · N5083C

Indianapolis, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 21, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Aircraft
Cessna T210N
Tail Number
N5083C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA060

The pilot reported an engine power surge, followed by a loud bang from the engine area, and a total loss of engine power. A piece of the snap ring from the turbocharger was found jammed between the oil scavenge pump gears and the oil scavenge pump case. This caused the oil pump to fail, resulting in no oil pressure and a total loss of engine power. The center section of the turbocharger had been rebuilt using automotive parts. The airplane's propeller, fuselage bulkheads and lower fuselage skin were bent during the emergency landing.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the turbocharger, caused by a unapproved rebuild of the turbocharger which contained automotive parts. Debris from the failed turbocharger damaged the oil pump resulting in lack of engine lubrication.

Full Narrative

On December 20, 1995, at 2030 eastern standard time (est), a Cessna T210N, N5083C, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage during an off airport landing. The pilot reported a total loss of power shortly after takeoff, from the Indianapolis International Airport. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was operating on a IFR flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed from Indianapolis, Indiana, en route to Chicago, Illinois, exact time unknown. The pilot was interviewed by telephone by the investigator in charge (IIC) on December 20, 1995. The pilot stated that after the first power reduction following takeoff, the engine seemed to surge, and then continued to operate normally. The pilot reported that three to four minutes after the first power reduction the engine began losing power. The pilot reported hearing a loud bang from the engine area, followed by a total loss of engine power. The pilot remembered seeing zero revolutions per minute on the tachometer, even though the propeller was still windmilling. After the total loss of power the pilot made an emergency landing in a snow covered field, with the landing gear retracted. Post flight examination of the airplane's engine revealed the following. External damage to the crankcase was seen above the number 5 cylinder's connecting rod. The oil pump drive shaft failed where the splines attach to the accessory gear. The number 5 cylinder's connecting rod was separated from the crankshaft. Two other connecting rods showed evidence similar to lack of lubrication. A piece of snap ring was found jammed between the oil scavenge pump gears and the oil scavenge pump case. The oil scavenge line runs from the turbocharger to the oil scavenge pump on this engine. The turbocharger should contain four snap rings, one snap ring was missing. The shaft on the turbocharger had approximately one quarter inch of end play. The maximum design limit is .005 inches. The compressor and turbine blades on the turbocharger were damaged due to rubbing. A portion of one compressor blade was missing. The turbocharger center section uses two roll pins internally. These roll pins were found sheared when the turbo charger was disassembled. The roll pins appeared to be spiral roll pins. Automotive roll pins use a spiral design. The center section measured approximately .010 inches oversize, where one bearing installs. Automotive turbocharger's of this design are allowed to oversize this area by .010 inches, aircraft turbocharger's are not allowed to oversize this area. A portion of the bearing area in the center section of the turbocharger had fractured, and broken loose. Aircraft turbocharger center sections of this design are made of ductile iron. This unit was made of cast iron as analyzed by the National Transportation Safety Boards Materials Laboratory Division, in Washington, DC. The last documented overhaul of the turbocharger was on December 13, 1988. From December 13, 1988, until the day of the accident, the aircraft had accumulated 1,181 hours. The airplane's propeller, fuselage bulkheads and lower fuselage skin were bent during the emergency landing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T210N
Tail NumberN5083C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-R · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 27 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind10° @ 16 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 18 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data