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

May 23, 2008 · Cessna P210N · N4753K

Peach Springs, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 2008
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Peach Springs, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna P210N
Tail Number
N4753K
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX08LA153

During an instrument flight rules cross-country flight at 16,000 feet msl, the pilot reported to air traffic control that he had a total loss of engine power and was attempting to land at an airport about 12 miles from his current position. The pilot was unable to reach the airport, and while trying to land on the desert floor, one of the main landing gear wheels hit a cactus and the airplane nosed over. During the recovery of the airplane, internal components of the engine were found in the debris field. The time recorded on the engine at the last annual inspection was 978 hours since major overhaul. A review of the airplane logbooks revealed that a top overhaul was completed on March 21, 2007, which included all 6 cylinders being removed, overhauled, and replaced. The engine failure occurred 120 hours since completion of the top overhaul. During the engine examinations, thermal discoloration of the crankshaft main journals and damage to various other internal components were noted. The crankshaft was fractured just forward of the number 2 main bearing. The number 2 main bearing was not located; however, the bearing support exhibited evidence of bearing shift, tang slot elongation, and rotation. The crankshaft main bearings and the connecting rod bearings were also damaged as a result of oil starvation, due to the number 2 main bearing rotation. The crankcase itself had been compromised just above the numbers 3 and 4 cylinders. The crankshaft was metallurgically examined at a laboratory. The crankshaft chemistry, case depth, surface hardness, and core hardness met specifications. The fracture initiated at the surface adjacent to the number 2 main bearing and progressed toward the number 3 rod journal in fatigue.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of engine power due to induced catastrophic internal failure of the engine as a result of the displacement and rotation of the number 2 main bearing that resulted in a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On May 23, 2008, about 1150 mountain standard time (MST), a Cessna P210N, N4753K, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and collided with the terrain during the forced landing near Peach Springs, Arizona. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The certificated private pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings by impact forces. The cross-country personal flight departed Grand Canyon National Park Airport, Grand Canyon, Arizona, about 1100, with a planned destination of Bullhead City, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that while flying at 16,000 feet mean sea level (msl), the engine experienced a total loss of power. He reported to air traffic control (ATC) that he was going to try and land at Grand Canyon Caverns Airport (L37), about 12 miles from his current position. The pilot was unable to reach the airport. While trying to land on the desert, one of the main landing gear wheels hit a cactus, and the airplane nosed over. During the recovery of the airplane, it was observed that internal components of the engine where found in the debris field. The airplane was recovered for further examination. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane was a 1979 Cessna P210N, serial number 21000284. A review of the airplane's logbooks revealed that the airplane had a total airframe time of 2,950 hours at the last annual inspection. The logbooks contained an entry for the annual inspection dated October 4, 2007. The tachometer read 1,483.6 at the last inspection. The tachometer read 1,519.6 at the accident site. The engine was a Teledyne Continental Motors (TCM) TSIO-520-P5B, serial number 278661-R. Total time recorded on the engine at the last annual inspection was 978 hours since major overhaul. A review of the airplane logbooks revealed that on March 21, 2007, a field top overhaul was completed, which included removing all 6 cylinders, overhauling the cylinders, and reinstalling the cylinders on the engine. The tachometer reading was recorded in the logbook write-up as 1,399.2 hours. The engine failure occurred 120 hours after the overhaul. TESTS AND RESEARCH During the engine teardown inspection, thermal discoloration was noted to the main journals of the crankshaft, as well as damage to the counterweight hanger blade. The crankshaft separated forward of the number two main journal, and the number two main bearing was not found during the inspection. It was the decision of the Safety Board to continue the engine inspection at the TCM Analytical Department, Mobile, Alabama. During the inspection, it was noted that the crankshaft exhibited a fracture just forward of the number 2 main bearing journal. The crankshaft main bearings and connecting rod bearings exhibited signatures of lubrication distress. The number 2 main bearing support exhibited signatures of bearing shift, tang slot elongation, and rotation. The crankcase exhibited an approximate 4- by 6-inch breach of the crankcase above both the number 3 and number 4 cylinders. The crankshaft fracture was sectioned and forwarded to the TCM Metallurgical Laboratory for further examination. On December 12, 2008, the TCM Metallurgical Laboratory conducted an examination of the crankshaft fracture. Hardness at the journal surface measured 70R30N, which met specification. The sectioned piece perpendicular to the surface showed a case depth of .020 and a core hardness of 35 HRC, both which meet specification. The fracture surface indicated the fracture initiated at the surface adjacent to the number 2 main bearing and progressed toward the number 3 rod journal in fatigue. Much of the fracture surface was damaged, presumably due to continued operation during and after separation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:50 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna P210N
Tail NumberN4753K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · TSIO-520 SER · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 20 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 34 C
Altimeter29.76 inHg
Observation Time18:30
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data