GRAND CANYON, AZ, USA
N7602U
CESSNA T207A
THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING A SCENIC TOUR WHEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT SWITCHED FUEL TANKS TO THE FULLEST TANK AND POWER WAS REGAINED MOMENTARILY. THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE PROPELLER DID NOT WINDMILL. THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN RUGGED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FRACTURED. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED SUBSURFACE METAL FATIGUE.
THE INFLIGHT FAILURE OF THE AIRPLANE'S POWERPLANT AS A RESULT METAL FATIGUE WHICH ALLOWED THE CRANKSHAFT TO FRACTURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OF THE GRAND CANYON WHICH DID NOT ALLOW A SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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