What happened
On November 28, 2014, at approximately 3:25 p.m., a Cessna 210H, registration N5983F, was conducting a private flight from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) in Florida to Punta Cana International Airport (MDPC) in the Dominican Republic. While approximately five miles from the destination, the aircraft experienced a loss of power followed by a total engine shutdown.
Realizing the aircraft could not reach the intended airport, the pilot declared an emergency with Punta Cana tower and executed a forced landing on the Autopista del Coral near Higüey. During the landing sequence, the aircraft's left wing struck a roadside traffic sign, causing the plane to rotate 180 degrees and come to rest in the median. Both occupants of the aircraft survived the impact without injuries.
The investigation
The CIAA investigation focused on the engine failure and the circumstances leading to the emergency landing. Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel system, including the fuel tanks and distribution manifold, and found no evidence of leaks or structural failures. The inspection confirmed that the fuel tanks were empty at the time of the investigation.
Further examination of the aircraft's maintenance records showed the engine and airframe were in valid airworthiness status, with the most recent 100-hour inspection completed in May 2014. The investigation also noted that while the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wings, fuselage, and control surfaces during the landing, a subsequent collision with a vehicle that overturned on the highway during the night further damaged the aircraft's forward section.