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

July 20, 2004 · Cessna P210N · N7736K

Douglas, WY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 20, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Douglas, WY
Aircraft
Cessna P210N
Tail Number
N7736K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN04LA107

According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 22,000 feet msl, the engine "quit." The pilot stated that the propeller continued to "windmill," and at that time he noted approximately 50 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He declared an emergency and was diverted to a nearby airport. On final approach to runway 28, the airplane's left main landing gear struck a fence post. The airplane landed approximately 200 feet short of the runway threshold and its left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane veered left of the runway centerline and came to a stop in the grass. The impact buckled the left wing tip and left horizontal stabilizer. An examination of the engine revealed a 7/8-inch by 3/8-inch hole in the top of the crankcase, just forward of the number 1 cylinder. Further examination revealed the engine crankshaft was fractured at the number 2 rod journal. The crankshaft exhibited thermal discoloration and impact marks at the number 2, 3, 4, and 5 rod journals. Rotational scoring and thermal discoloration was observed on the crankshaft's number 2 main bearing. The number 2 bearing was fragmented and fretting was observed on the crankcase halves at the number 2 bearing through bolts. The engine maintenance records indicated on November 17, 2003, at 2,845.0 hours, during the airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection, the number 2 cylinder was replaced. At the time of the accident, the total time was 3,083.0 hours.

NTSB Probable Cause

the failure of the engine's crankshaft due to the rotation of the engine's number two bearing, which resulted in the oil starvation of the crankshaft's number 2 main journal. Contributing factors include the engine's improper maintenance, and the in-flight collision with a fence post during a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On July 20 2004, at 1600 mountain daylight time, a Cessna P210N, N7736K, operated by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged during a forced landing at Converse County Airport (DGW), Douglas, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The flight to Provo, Utah, originated at Rapid City, South Dakota, approximately 1400. According to the pilot, while in cruise flight at 22,000 feet msl, the engine "quit." The pilot stated that the propeller continued to "windmill," and at that time he noted approximately 50 gallons of fuel remaining. The pilot's attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. He declared an emergency and was diverted to Douglas. He broke out of the clouds at approximately 14,000 feet agl. On final approach to runway 28, the airplane's left main landing gear struck a fence post and the airplane impacted terrain approximately 200 feet short of the runway threshold. The airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline and came to a stop in the grass. The impact collapsed the airplane's left main landing gear assembly, and buckled the left wing tip and left horizontal stabilizer. On February 14, 2005, the engine was examined at Teledyne Continental Motors, Inc., in Mobile, Alabama. The examination revealed a 7/8-inch by 3/8-inch hole in the top of the crankcase, just forward of the number 1 cylinder. Further examination revealed that the number 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 piston rods were fractured. The engine crankshaft was fractured at the number 2 rod journal. The crankshaft exhibited thermal discoloration and impact marks at the number 2, 3, 4, and 5 rod journals. Rotational scoring and thermal discoloration was observed on each main bearing. The crankshaft's number 2 main bearing was fragmented. Fretting was observed on the crankcase halves at the number 2 bearing through bolts. Fretting was also observed on the number 3 and 4 bearing through bolts. According to the airplane's engine maintenance records, on May 31, 2000, at an airframe total time of 2,380.0 hours, a top overhaul was completed on all 6 cylinders. On November 17, 2003, at 2,845.0 hours, during the airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection, the engine's number 2 cylinder was replaced. At the time of the accident, the total airframe time was 3,083.0 hours.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MDT
Nearest AirportConverse County Airport (1nm E)
Runway28
Runway Length6750 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P210N
Tail NumberN7736K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO520-P6B · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 110 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.06 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data