1999 Cessna 210L Engine Failure and Forced Landing in Botswana (ZS-MNN)

Accident Overview and Aircraft Details On 23 April 1999 at 1340z, a Cessna 210L registered ZS-MNN was involved in an accident in Botswana. The aircraft was operated by Centurion Air Services Partnership and was on a flight from Maun to Gaborone. The pilot-in-command held a private licence and had 553.3 total flying hours, including 487.35 hours on type. A commercial pilot was aboard to collect another aircraft in Gaborone. ## Sequence of Events During the engine run-up and pre-flight checks, all engine indications were normal, and the engine performed normally during the first part of the flight. Approximately 60 nautical miles from the VOR beacon, an unusual sound was heard from the engine, followed by a loss of power. The pilots observed that oil pressure had dropped to zero and that the propeller pitch control did not respond when set to full coarse. All attempts to regain engine power failed. ## Forced Landing and Outcome The aircraft was positioned for a forced landing on a road, and mayday calls were made to air traffic control to report the situation and provide the aircraft's position. The initial touchdown on the road was normal, but due to a curve in the road, the left-hand wing contacted a small tree after touchdown, causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable. Once the aircraft came to a stop, the occupants evacuated. Initially, it appeared that no one was injured, but one passenger was later found to have a fractured rib. No fatalities were reported.