Searcy, AR, USA
N9421X
CESSNA 210A
The pilot reported that, shortly after departure, he and the pilot-rated passenger detected smoke in the cockpit. The pilot turned off the avionics and began flying toward the closest airport. While en route to the airport, the engine experienced a partial loss of power and then seized. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a field. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed damage to the engine's crankcase. Examination of the engine revealed signatures consistent with oil starvation of the engine components, which resulted in the failure of the No. 5 connecting rod. Only residual oil was found at the accident site and within the engine, and only a small amount of oil sheen was discovered on the airplane surfaces. An annual inspection had recently been completed on the airplane, and a review of the engine logbook revealed no entries related to the engine's oil system. Although the pilots reported no anomalies during the preflight inspection, the evidence is consistent with a lack of engine oil before the flight, which could have been discovered during a thorough preflight inspection.
On April 18, 2014, about 1445 central daylight time, a Cessna 210A airplane, N9421X, collided with terrain during a forced landing near Searcy, Arkansas. The private pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Arkansas Pilots for Christ under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which operated without a flight plan. The flight departed the Red Oak Airport (4AR2) about 1430.According to the pilot, the takeoff and departure were uneventful until they smelled smoke and saw smoke coming from the right corner of the cockpit instrument panel. They turned off the avionics and diverted to the Searcy Municipal Airport (KSRC), Searcy, Arkansas. While flying to KSRC, the engine initially experienced a partial loss of engine power and then seized. Unable to glide the airplane to the airport, the pilot maneuvered to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the nose gear struck an unseen obstruction and the airplane nosed over. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed two holes in the engine crankcase: one near the number 5 cylinder and one near the number 6 cylinder. Disassembly and examination of the engine discovered a blue material consistent with room temperature vulcanization (RTV) sealant between the oil filter adapter and oil pump housing. RTV was discovered within the oil filter adapter housing. The oil filter was opened and small metallic particulates were found in the filter pleats. The oil sump's quick drain valve was impact damaged. The oil sump contained a residual amount of oil along with metal material consistent with fragments of bearings, pistons, connecting rods, connecting rod bolts and nuts, and a piston pin. The oil pick-up screen was free of obstructions. None of the rocker box cover screws were tightly secured. Mechanical damage was noted to the number 5 and number 6 cylinders and pistons. All six bearings displayed lubrication distress and thermal smearing. The crankshaft displayed signatures of lubrication distress, thermal damage, and mechanical damage. The number 5 connecting rod journal sustained more damage when compared to the other connecting rod journals. An annual inspection of the airplane had been accomplished prior to the accident flight. A review of the log books did not find any entries related to the servicing or maintenance of the engine's oil system. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger reported performing a normal preflight inspection of the airplane. Photos provided by the airplane recovery team showed a small amount of oil sheen on the airplane's fuselage. A small amount of oil was present on the engine; however, very little oil was found at the accident site.
The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, which resulted in oil starvation and a subsequent engine failure.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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