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NTSB Report
August 26, 1986 · Cessna P210N · N5135A
Salton City, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 26, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Salton City, CA
Aircraft
Cessna P210N
Tail Number
N5135A
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA331
A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING A DESCENT FROM 17,500' MSL TO 10,000' MSL. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE ACFT WAS LANDED GEAR-UP IN A ROCKY FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED A TRACK OF INTERNAL ELECTRICAL ARCING IN THE DISTRIBUTOR SECTION OF BOTH MAGNETOS. THE SLICK MAGNETOS, MODEL NUMBER 6220, HAD A TOTAL TIME SINCE NEW OF 401 HOURS. THE ACFT SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS SUGGEST THE MAGNETO BREAKER COMPARTMENT BE INSPECTED DURING THE FIRST 25 HOUR ACFT INSPECTION AND DURING EACH SUBSEQUENT 100 HOUR INSPECTION. THE ACFT HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 36 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURERS SEAL ON THE BREAKER COMPARTMENT SCREW HEADS HAD NOT BEEN BROKEN INDICATING THE MAGNETOS WERE NOT INSPECTED DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.
Full Narrative
A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WAS EXPERIENCED DURING A DESCENT FROM 17,500' MSL TO 10,000' MSL. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE ACFT WAS LANDED GEAR-UP IN A ROCKY FIELD. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED A TRACK OF INTERNAL ELECTRICAL ARCING IN THE DISTRIBUTOR SECTION OF BOTH MAGNETOS. THE SLICK MAGNETOS, MODEL NUMBER 6220, HAD A TOTAL TIME SINCE NEW OF 401 HOURS. THE ACFT SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS SUGGEST THE MAGNETO BREAKER COMPARTMENT BE INSPECTED DURING THE FIRST 25 HOUR ACFT INSPECTION AND DURING EACH SUBSEQUENT 100 HOUR INSPECTION. THE ACFT HAD RECEIVED AN ANNUAL INSPECTION 36 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURERS SEAL ON THE BREAKER COMPARTMENT SCREW HEADS HAD NOT BEEN BROKEN INDICATING THE MAGNETOS WERE NOT INSPECTED DURING THE ANNUAL INSPECTION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:53 PDT
Nearest Airport2nm NW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna P210N
Tail NumberN5135A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-AF · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility25 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC