History of Flight
On June 26, 2011, at approximately 1431 central daylight time, a Cessna T210L, registration N732BX, impacted trees, a power line, and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power near Romeoville, Illinois. The private pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual flight rules (VFR) conditions prevailed; no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Brookeridge Airpark (LL22), Downers Grove, Illinois, at an unconfirmed time and was en route to Lewis University Airport (LOT), Romeoville, Illinois.
The passenger reported that they departed LL22 intending to conduct touch-and-go maneuvers at LOT. After completing two touch-and-goes, while climbing out, the engine quit. The pilot attempted an off-field landing short of the airport. The passenger recalled the pilot draining the fuel sumps before takeoff but could not confirm if fuel was added to the aircraft.
Personnel Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings. He was issued a third-class airman medical certificate on November 10, 2009, with a limitation requiring glasses for near vision. He reported 5,850 total flight hours on his most recent medical application. His most recent flight review was completed on May 31, 2011. The pilot’s flight logbook was not available for review.
Aircraft Information
The 1976 Cessna model T210L, serial number 21061397, was a six-seat, high-wing monoplane of aluminum construction with a tricycle retractable landing gear. It was powered by a 285-horsepower turbocharged six-cylinder Continental Motors TSIO-520-PCH engine (serial number 513067).
The airplane had accumulated about 5,160 hours at the time of its most recent annual inspection on August 16, 2010. About 9 hours had accumulated since that inspection.
Meteorological Information
At 1440, weather conditions at LOT included wind from 110 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet above ground level, temperature 27°C, dew point 14°C, and altimeter 29.93 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane came to rest on an embankment near the intersection of Airport Road and Illinois Route 53 in Romeoville, about 2,100 feet east-northeast of the approach end of runway 27 at LOT. During the impact sequence, it struck trees and a power line. Impact evidence indicated the airplane was traveling in a southwest direction before striking a tree on the forward right side of the fuselage, which was crushed rearward and inward. The engine separated from the airframe and was found about 50 feet southwest of the main wreckage.
Examination of the airframe revealed substantial damage but all control surfaces remained attached with continuity confirmed to the cockpit. No fuel was found in either wing tank. The gascolator was drained, yielding about 2 ounces of liquid: approximately 1.5 ounces of 100LL aviation gasoline and 0.5 ounce of water. Water detection paste confirmed the presence of water.
A subsequent engine examination and test run at Continental Motors in Mobile, Alabama, on October 11, 2011, found no defects. The engine produced full rated power and exhibited no hesitation or stumbling.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy of the pilot on June 27, 2011, attributed his death to multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the accident. FAA toxicology reports noted the presence of Ibuprofen and Quinine in urine samples.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not determine a probable cause for the loss of engine power.