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NTSB Report
November 23, 1989 · Cessna 210E · TGGUW
Matagorda 526
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 minor injury)
Location
Matagorda 526
Aircraft
Cessna 210E
Tail Number
TGGUW
Operator
Thomas P Mifsud
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW90FA031
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE NEXT TO AN OIL PLATFORM APRX 10 MI FROM LAND. THE PILOT, HIS WIFE, AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN EXITED AND ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO THE PLATFORM. THE SEA STATE WAS ROUGH, AND NO RAFT OR LIFE VESTS WERE ON THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE LOST AT SEA. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND CRANKSHAFT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR PRE-EXISTING FRACTURES. APRX 4 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE AIRPLANE WAS INVOLVED IN A GEAR-UP LANDING, RESULTING IN THE PROP BLADES BEING CURLED BACK APRX 30 DEG UP TO 8 INCHES FROM THE TIPS. THE BLADES WERE STRAIGHTENED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER THE REPAIR WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR SERVICE MANUAL AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE SEPARATION OF THE PROPELLER SYSTEM FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE SEVERITY OF THE INJURIES WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT A RAFT AND/OR LIFEVESTS WERE ON THE AIRPLANE DURING THE OVERWATER PORTION OF THE FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
DURING CRUISE FLIGHT THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE NEXT TO AN OIL PLATFORM APRX 10 MI FROM LAND. THE PILOT, HIS WIFE, AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN EXITED AND ATTEMPTED TO SWIM TO THE PLATFORM. THE SEA STATE WAS ROUGH, AND NO RAFT OR LIFE VESTS WERE ON THE AIRPLANE. THE PILOT'S WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE LOST AT SEA. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS AND CRANKSHAFT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE OR PRE-EXISTING FRACTURES. APRX 4 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE AIRPLANE WAS INVOLVED IN A GEAR-UP LANDING, RESULTING IN THE PROP BLADES BEING CURLED BACK APRX 30 DEG UP TO 8 INCHES FROM THE TIPS. THE BLADES WERE STRAIGHTENED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER THE REPAIR WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR SERVICE MANUAL AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:15 UTC
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 210E
Tail NumberTGGUW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorThomas P Mifsud
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-E · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 minor injury)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind330° @ 30 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO