Cessna 210 N9712X

Summary

On 23 July 1999 at about 19:00 local time, a Cessna 210 registered N9712X was involved in an accident near Newton, New Jersey, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 July 1999 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Newton, New Jersey, United States

Nearest airport

Newton (3N5)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 210

Registration

N9712X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA182

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to secure the oil cap after adding oil; the flight instructor's failure to insure the preflight was completed properly; and oil on the windshield obstructing forward vision.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot preflighted the airplane and added 1 1/2 quarts of oil before the flight. Once on the runway, the pilot advanced the throttle, and the engine responded normally. At 100 feet agl, oil started spreading back onto the windscreen. The instructor took the controls, and reduced power to prevent overheating. Both felt there was an uncommanded reduction in propeller RPM, and continued flight would not be possible. The pilot added that the engine, 'felt and sounded normal' when the airplane impacted the trees. The engine oil filler cap was found removed and hanging by a chain. In addition, the oil that spread aft over the engine and cowling created a fan approximately 30 degrees wide, and started at the engine oil filler cap. No pre-impact failures or malfunctions were found with either the engine or the airframe. The pilot's operating handbook states, 'When oil pressure to the piston in the propeller hub is relieved, centrifugal force, assisted by an internal spring, twists the blades towards low pitch (high RPM).' The instructor had 4 hours of flight experience in the accident airplane's make and model. The pilot had 13 hours in the accident airplane's make and model.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.