Incident Overview
A Cessna T210L departed Tacoma Narrows Airport for a maintenance test flight, prompted by a previous power loss. Approximately 15 minutes into the flight, the engine quit. The pilot managed to regain power momentarily, but the aircraft ultimately ditched about one mile west of the departure airport.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the ditching, investigators examined the aircraft. No evidence of mechanical malfunction was found with the engine or its fuel system. Uncontaminated fuel was present in the fuel strainer, fuel hoses, and fuel flow divider. A test run of the engine after the accident showed that, aside from a slightly rich mixture condition, the engine ran satisfactorily.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not identify any mechanical deficiencies or fuel contamination as contributing factors. The engine's performance during the post-accident test run indicated no underlying issues that would explain the in-flight power loss.