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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.

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May 24, 1985 · Cessna U206F · N1803Q

Piney Point, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Piney Point, MD
Aircraft
Cessna U206F
Tail Number
N1803Q
Operator
Richard L Newman
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85LA031

WHILE DESCENDING IN IFR CONDITIONS NEAR THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3800 TO 4000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED VECTORS TOWARD LAND & THE NEAREST ARPT; HOWEVER, WHEN IT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS STILL OVER WATER. UNABLE TO REACH LAND, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM SHORE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG, REVEALED HOLES IN EACH SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE CRANKCASE BETWEEN THE #1 & #2 CYLINDERS. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #2 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAD EVIDENCE OF EXTREME WEAR & HEAT, & THE RESPECTIVE CRANKSHAFT JOURNALS SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT & WEAR. ALSO, THE OIL PUMP CAVITY & WALLS WERE SCRATCHED & GALLED.

Full Narrative

WHILE DESCENDING IN IFR CONDITIONS NEAR THE DESTINATION, THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF ABOUT 3800 TO 4000 FT. THE PLT REQUESTED VECTORS TOWARD LAND & THE NEAREST ARPT; HOWEVER, WHEN IT BROKE OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT ABOUT 1000 FT AGL, THE ACFT WAS STILL OVER WATER. UNABLE TO REACH LAND, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE MOUTH OF THE POTOMAC RIVER ABOUT 3/4 MI FROM SHORE. AN EXAM OF THE ENG, REVEALED HOLES IN EACH SIDE OF THE TOP PORTION OF THE CRANKCASE BETWEEN THE #1 & #2 CYLINDERS. A TEAR DOWN OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #2 CONNECTING ROD HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE CONNECTING ROD BEARINGS HAD EVIDENCE OF EXTREME WEAR & HEAT, & THE RESPECTIVE CRANKSHAFT JOURNALS SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAT & WEAR. ALSO, THE OIL PUMP CAVITY & WALLS WERE SCRATCHED & GALLED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 EDT
Nearest AirportPatuxent River Nas (13nm WSW)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna U206F
Tail NumberN1803Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichard L Newman
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-F · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind45° @ 12 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time11:29
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data