1990-07-27: Cessna 208A — Mesa Airlines — Ruidoso, NM

Casualties unknown • Ruidoso, NM, US

Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE GAS PRODUCER AND POWER TURBINE ASSEMBLIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

WHEN POWER WAS REDUCED TO BEGIN INITIAL DESCENT FOR APPROACH AND LANDING THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. THE ROAD HAD A 4% UPGRADE AND CURVED TO THE RIGHT. DURING THE ROLLOUT THE OUTBOARD END OF THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE DAMAGING THE WING CARRY THROUGH SPAR. METALLURGICAL TESTING REVEALED THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS TO BE FAILURE OF THE GAS PRODUCER TURBINE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1990-07-27 Cessna 208A accident near Ruidoso, NM?

WHEN POWER WAS REDUCED TO BEGIN INITIAL DESCENT FOR APPROACH AND LANDING THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. THE ROAD HAD A 4% UPGRADE AND CURVED TO THE RIGHT. DURING THE ROLLOUT THE OUTBOARD END OF THE RIGHT WING STRUCK A TREE DAMAGING THE WING CARRY THROUGH SPAR. METALLURGICAL…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1990-07-27 involved a Cessna 208A, registration N105YV, operated by Mesa Airlines, at Ruidoso, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE GAS PRODUCER AND POWER TURBINE ASSEMBLIES. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN FOR THE FORCED LANDING.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23672. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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