On March 23, 1985, a Cessna T210M (registration N732RX) was involved in an aviation accident near Flora, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A burned lead on the alternator caused a loss of electrical power. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot departing Danville, Illinois without a flight plan for Indianapolis, Indiana encountered IFR conditions, reversed course, lost all electrical power, landed long and downwind at Flora Municipal Airport, went off the runway, and nosed over inverted.
Incident Narrative
A pilot departed Danville, Illinois without filing a flight plan for a planned flight to Indianapolis, Indiana. En route, the pilot encountered instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions and reversed course. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft experienced a total loss of electrical power. While flying north, the pilot spotted the Flora Municipal Airport through breaks in the overcast. The pilot manually pumped the landing gear down; however, only the nose gear extended and locked. The pilot executed a landing that was long and downwind. The aircraft departed the departure end of the runway, crossed a road and a side ditch, and nosed over, coming to rest inverted.
Cause
A burned lead on the alternator resulted in a loss of electrical power.
Probable cause
A burned lead on the alternator caused a loss of electrical power.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 23 Mar 1985 Cessna T210M accident near Flora, IN?
A pilot departing Danville, Illinois without a flight plan for Indianapolis, Indiana encountered IFR conditions, reversed course, lost all electrical power, landed long and downwind at Flora Municipal Airport, went off the runway, and nosed over inverted.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 Mar 1985 involved a Cessna T210M, registration N732RX, at Flora, IN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
A burned lead on the alternator caused a loss of electrical power.