Synopsis
On November 28, 2014, at approximately 3:25 p.m. local time, a Cessna 210H aircraft, registration N5983F, was involved in an accident while performing a forced landing on the Autopista del Coral in Higüey, Dominican Republic. The aircraft had departed from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE), Florida, USA, with a destination of Punta Cana International Airport (MDPC). The forced landing occurred about 1.6 nautical miles from the destination airport, on a west-east heading along the highway. The pilot and one passenger were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
Flight History
The flight was a private operation. The pilot and sole passenger were the only occupants. The accident occurred approximately 1.6 NM from the intended destination, Punta Cana International Airport.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Cessna 210H Centurion, serial number 21058983, manufactured in 1968. It was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear and six seats. The engine was a Continental IO-520 rated at 285 horsepower, and the propeller was a McCauley constant-speed variable-pitch model. The aircraft had a total airframe time of 3,171.23 hours. The last 100-hour inspection was completed on September 5, 2014. The engine had accumulated 1,793.24 hours since overhaul. The fuel used was 100LL aviation gasoline.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 28-year-old US national (born August 27, 1986) who held a commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He had a total flight time of 1,200 hours, with 50 hours in the Cessna 210 type. In the previous 90 days, he had flown 70 hours; in the previous 30 days, 20 hours; and in the previous 72 hours, none. His last medical check was on June 19, 2013.
Damage
The aircraft sustained substantial damage, including:
- Left wing: fractured and deformed
- Right wing: deformed
- Elevator: fractured and deformed
- Rudder: deformed
- Main landing gear door: deformed
- Fuselage: compressed
Additionally, a traffic sign in the area was broken.
Weather
At the time of the event, meteorological conditions were favorable for the operation being conducted. A weather report for the region indicated scattered to partly cloudy skies with isolated showers in some areas, temperatures ranging from 25-26°C minimum to 31-32°C maximum in La Altagracia province.
Other Information
The aircraft was equipped with VOR, GPS, DME navigation aids and a dual-band radio. No flight data or cockpit voice recorders were installed or mentioned in the report. The accident site coordinates were N18°33'37.31" W68°23'58.79".