On September 10, 1995, a Cessna P210N (registration N3674P) was involved in an aviation accident near Black Diamond, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: improper maintenance which led to oil starvation due to a inadequately tightened B-nut in an oil line. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported a loss of power while conducting aerial photography near Mt. Rainier and attempted a glide to a suggested airstrip. The engine then failed completely, resulting in a crash into trees near a river. Investigation revealed oil starvation due to a loose B-nut on a turbocharger oil line that had recent maintenance.
Incident Overview
During aerial photography operations over mountainous terrain near Mt. Rainier, the pilot advised Air Traffic Control that the aircraft had experienced a loss of power. The pilot elected to attempt a glide from an altitude above 10,500 feet mean sea level to an airstrip suggested by ATC as a possible forced landing site. During the descent, the engine lost total power. The aircraft subsequently crashed into trees on the north side of a river. A paved road ran along the south shore of the river, and the crash site was within about a mile of an abandoned airstrip.
Investigation Findings
Disassembly and inspection of the engine revealed an internal failure due to oil starvation. A B-nut on an oil line to the turbocharger was found to be loose. Maintenance records indicated that this oil line had been subject to recent maintenance performed by company personnel.
What happened in the 10 Sept 1995 Cessna P210N accident near Black Diamond, WA?
A pilot reported a loss of power while conducting aerial photography near Mt. Rainier and attempted a glide to a suggested airstrip. The engine then failed completely, resulting in a crash into trees near a river. Investigation revealed oil starvation due to a loose B-nut on a turbocharger oil line that had recent…
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 10 Sept 1995 involved a Cessna P210N, registration N3674P, at Black Diamond, WA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
improper maintenance which led to oil starvation due to a inadequately tightened B-nut in an oil line. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
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