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NTSB Report
September 27, 1989 · Cessna 210B · N9615X
Newport Beach, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Newport Beach, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 210B
Tail Number
N9615X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA327
THE PILOT, WHO HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT, EXPEREINCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING & HE DITCHED HIS AIRCRAFT IN A HARBOR. THE AIRCRAFT SANK. UPON ITS SUBSEQUENT RECOVERY, IT WAS EXAMINED, & ITS CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND FRACTURED. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A SURFACE ORIGIN FATIGUE CRACK, WHICH HAD PROPAGATED IN THE AREA OF THE NO 4 CRANKSHAFT CHEEK BETWEEN, THE NO 2 MAIN JOURNAL & THE NO 3 CRANKPIN JOURNAL. THE FRACTURE HAD INITIATED IN THE FORWARD FILLET RADIUS OF THE NO 2 MAIN JOURNAL. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY PREEXISTING MATERIAL DEFECTS IN THE CRANKSHAFT METAL. ABOUT 10 YEARS & 1166 OPERATING HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE HAD REPORTEDLY UNDERGONE A MAJOR OVERHAUL. THE AIRCRAFT'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE INCOMPLETE & THE ADEQUACY OF THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE COULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY DOCUMENTED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO SHORE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT, WHO HAD JUST PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT, EXPEREINCED A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE CRUISING & HE DITCHED HIS AIRCRAFT IN A HARBOR. THE AIRCRAFT SANK. UPON ITS SUBSEQUENT RECOVERY, IT WAS EXAMINED, & ITS CRANKSHAFT WAS FOUND FRACTURED. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF A SURFACE ORIGIN FATIGUE CRACK, WHICH HAD PROPAGATED IN THE AREA OF THE NO 4 CRANKSHAFT CHEEK BETWEEN, THE NO 2 MAIN JOURNAL & THE NO 3 CRANKPIN JOURNAL. THE FRACTURE HAD INITIATED IN THE FORWARD FILLET RADIUS OF THE NO 2 MAIN JOURNAL. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND OF ANY PREEXISTING MATERIAL DEFECTS IN THE CRANKSHAFT METAL. ABOUT 10 YEARS & 1166 OPERATING HOURS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE ENGINE HAD REPORTEDLY UNDERGONE A MAJOR OVERHAUL. THE AIRCRAFT'S MAINTENANCE RECORDS WERE INCOMPLETE & THE ADEQUACY OF THE PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE COULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY DOCUMENTED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:02 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 210B
Tail NumberN9615X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-S · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO