What happened
On October 12, 2009, a Cessna T 210 N, registered N442SF, departed from Propriano aerodrome for a private flight to Cannes. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and five passengers. While cruising at 6,500 feet, the pilot experienced a sudden drop in engine RPM and a loss of manifold pressure, accompanied by an abnormally high fuel flow.
After declaring a MAYDAY, the pilot attempted several engine restarts while maneuvering toward the coastline to utilize a tailwind. During the descent, a passenger—a professional flight attendant—proactively distributed life jackets to all occupants and instructed them on ditching positions. As the aircraft approached the water at approximately 500 feet, the pilot configured the aircraft with full flaps but opted not to extend the landing gear. The aircraft ditched in the Gulf of Girolata at approximately 11:56 UTC. The aircraft did not break up upon impact but sank shortly after in water approximately 1,200 meters deep.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine power loss and the subsequent survival of the occupants. Investigators examined the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that seven months prior to the accident, an oil analysis had revealed high levels of metallic wear (including aluminum, iron, and nickel) in the engine oil. Although the owner intended to perform follow-up inspections during the next scheduled maintenance interval, the engine failed during this flight.
Because the wreckage was not recovered, the exact mechanical cause of the power loss could not be determined. The investigation also reviewed the effectiveness of the search and rescue (SAR) operations, the adequacy of the survival equipment on board, and the accuracy of the information transmitted to rescue services.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of engine power during flight, which necessitated the ditching.
- The aircraft was maintained under FAA regulations, and a recent maintenance visit had identified elevated levels of metal particles in the engine oil, suggesting potential internal degradation.
- The occupants were equipped with the minimum required life jackets, which included lights that proved vital for nighttime localization by rescue helicopters.
- The survival of the occupants was aided by the rapid activation of SAR services, though the lack of signaling devices (such as flares or mirrors) made daytime localization difficult.
- A discrepancy in reported altitude—where the crew believed they were at 2,000 feet while actually much lower—impacted the initial search area calculations.