Cessna P210N Emergency Landing in Poland Due to Engine Oil Pressure Loss (OK-TGM)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On July 19, 2017, a Cessna P210N with registration OK-TGM, operated by a private legal entity, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Warszawa/Babice (EPBC) to Letňany (LKLT). The aircraft, a pressurized six-seat high-wing monoplane equipped with a turbocharged engine and retractable nose gear, had a total airframe time of 5,195 hours and 26 minutes at the time of the incident. The flight began with a normal takeoff from EPBC at approximately 12:51 UTC. The pilot climbed to 1,500 feet and maintained a cruise speed of 250–270 km/h toward Łódź. All engine parameters were normal during the initial climb and cruise phases. ## Engine Failure and Emergency Response Approximately 25 minutes after takeoff, at 13:14 UTC, while climbing to 3,885 feet before the Łódź terminal maneuvering area, the pilot observed a sudden increase in propeller RPM and a “Warning” signal on the MVP-50 engine monitor. A subsequent check revealed zero oil pressure and a significant drop in manifold pressure. The pilot declared a MAYDAY emergency and initiated a descent, initially considering a diversion to Lodz/Lublinek (EPLL). However, due to the continued deterioration of engine performance, the pilot elected to make an emergency landing in a nearby field with the landing gear extended. Shortly before touchdown, the pilot turned the fuel cock to “OFF” and shut down the engine to prevent propeller damage. The aircraft landed at 13:22 UTC in a field of tall grain crops, specifically in tractor tracks, near the village of Justynów, located 21 km east of EPLL. The total flight time was 31 minutes. After securing the aircraft, the pilot relayed a message of a safe landing via another aircraft. The pilot was not injured. ## Aircraft Maintenance and Engine Inspection The aircraft had been maintained under a continuing airworthiness management organization. Its last annual inspection, conducted as a 200-hour check, was performed at 5,175 hours and 16 minutes. During that maintenance, the engine (Continental TSIO 520 P5B, serial number 278832-R) was overhauled at 2,408 hours and 47 minutes, and the propeller and governor received a general overhaul. Aero Shell 100 oil was installed. A post-maintenance test flight was conducted on May 6, 2017, followed by 21 flights totaling 19 hours and 38 minutes without reported issues. Following the incident, the engine was removed and inspected by a specialized maintenance organization. External examination showed no evidence of oil leaks, and the engine components were in their proper positions. However, metal fragments were found on the magnetic drain plug, and metal particles were recovered from the oil sump. Further disassembly revealed that the drive gear shaft (P.N. 629263) of the oil pump was broken at the gear teeth. A groove with a small fragment was found in the housing, and the remaining shaft portion exhibited surface scoring. Additionally, spark plugs on cylinders 1 and 4 were fouled, and bluing was observed on the connecting rod and camshaft of cylinder 1. ## Pilot Qualifications and Meteorological Conditions The 42-year-old pilot held a valid private pilot license with SEP land and NIGHT qualifications, a valid Class 2 medical certificate, and a valid radiotelephony license. His total flight time was 167 hours and 25 minutes, with 73 hours and 10 minutes on the Cessna P210N. He also had approximately 2,500 hours of experience flying ultralight aircraft. Meteorological conditions at the time of the incident were favorable. The pilot assessed the weather as suitable for the flight. According to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, the area was influenced by warm air flowing from the southwest ahead of a low-pressure trough. Surface winds were 050°–110° at 5–10 kt, with visibility over 10 km and few altocumulus clouds above 9,000 feet AGL. METAR reports from Lodz/Lublinek (EPLL) between 13:00 and 14:00 UTC indicated CAVOK conditions, with temperatures between 25°C and 26°C and a QNH of 1016 hPa.