On March 9, 2002, a Cessna T210N (registration N2BS) was involved in an aviation accident near Teterboro, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Improper maintenance by other maintenance personnel, which resulted in the air filter element being sucked into and blocking the turbocharger inlet, and a subsequent power loss. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses observed a Cessna T210N on initial climb when engine power reduced. The airplane banked left and descended, striking ground on airport property. Post-crash fire consumed cabin. Examination found air filter element lodged in turbocharger intake, with screen on wrong side per installation instructions.
Witness Observations
Several witnesses observed the Cessna T210N during its initial climb. They then heard a reduction in engine power. Some witnesses reported that the nose pitched up after the power reduction, prior to the airplane turning left and descending. The airplane subsequently banked left, descended, and struck the ground on airport property. A post-crash fire started within seconds after the airplane came to rest and consumed the cabin.
Engine Examination
Examination of the engine revealed that the air filter element was lodged into the turbocharger air intake and adjacent ducting. The single screen on the air filter was found on the air intake side, contrary to installation instructions which specify that with a single screen, the screen should be on the engine side of the air filter element. The air filter element had been changed during an annual inspection approximately 2 1/2 months and 30 hours prior to the accident. The specified change interval for the filter element was 12 months, 200 hours, or when the filter element was 50% covered by foreign material. The initial emergency procedure for loss of engine power after takeoff was to maintain an airspeed of 85 knots.