Quarryville, PA, USA
N6043N
Cessna 210M
While flying in instrument meteorological conditions, the airplane experienced a total electrical failure. The pilot was able to descend to 700 feet agl, and locate a road. During a precautionary landing to the road, the nose gear struck mud and collapsed. Examination of the airplane revealed that 11 of the 12 battery cells were dry. Further investigation revealed that maintenance had been performed on the airplane about 2 months prior to the accident. The maintenance work included replacing the old battery with a serviceable battery.
On July 14, 2004, about 1215 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 210M, N6043N, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing to a road, following a total loss of electrical power in cruise flight near Quarryville, Pennsylvania. The certificated airline transport pilot and a passenger were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport (LEW), Lewiston, Maine; destined for Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Manassas, Virginia. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that while in cruise flight at 8,000 feet, he noted a battery discharge. The pilot notified air traffic control (ATC) that he was experiencing electrical problems. The ATC controller subsequently cleared the pilot to descend to 3,000 feet, and provided vectors to Lancaster Airport (LNS), Lancaster, Pennsylvania. However, before the pilot could initiate an instrument approach to LNS, the airplane experienced a total loss of electrical power. The pilot then flew southeast, away from mountainous terrain, until he made visual contact with a road. The pilot continued to descend over the road, about 700 feet agl, and noted that the ceiling was lower in the surrounding areas. The pilot performed a precautionary landing to the road. During the landing, the nose gear struck mud and collapsed, and the airplane came to rest on the road. The reported weather at LNS, at 1153, was: wind from 200 degrees at 5 knots; visibility 5 miles in haze; ceiling 900 feet overcast; temperature 73 degrees F; dew point 70 degrees F; altimeter 29.66 inches Hg. The airplane was examined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. The inspector reported that the alternator and regulator "bench checked" normally, with no discrepancies noted. However, the inspector observed 11 of the 12 battery cells to be dry, and one cell contained some moisture. During a subsequent telephone interview, the pilot reported that his battery was replaced with a serviceable battery on May 8, 2004. The maintenance work was performed by a mechanic at the pilot's home airport; in conjunction with replacement of the alternator, voltage regulator, and solenoid.
Improper maintenance performed on the airplane, which resulted in a total electrical failure during cruise flight in IMC, and a subsequent precautionary landing. A factor in the accident was the low ceiling.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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