Cessna T206H N919LL

Summary

On 11 October 2001 at about 20:40 local time, a Cessna T206H registered N919LL was involved in an accident near LakeLanier Isl., Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 October 2001 at 20:40

Classification

Accident

Location

LakeLanier Isl., Georgia, United States

Coordinates

34.3067, -83.8800

Aircraft

Cessna T206H

Registration

N919LL

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Johnstown → Atlanta

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA02LA008

2 people had minor injuries.

The fatigue failure of the crankshaft for undetermined reasons resulting in the total loss of engine power. A contributing factor in the accident was the unsuitable terrain encountered by the pilot during the forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Approximately 3 1/2 hours into the flight while flying at 5,000 feet, the pilot heard a loud bang followed by "extreme vibration" of the airframe. He noted a total loss of engine power and a slight smell of smoke. The flight was vectored to a nearby airport but based on the altitude and distance, the pilot was unable to land there. The airplane was ditched with full flaps in a lake and after touchdown the airplane became inverted. The pilot and one passenger exited the airplane which was recovered revealing an oil residue in the engine compartment and also on the bottom skin of the fuselage. Examination of the engine revealed that the right side of the accessory case was displaced aft approximately 2 inches, the crankcase was fractured from the No. 5 to the No. 6 cylinder positions, the crankshaft and the No. 6 cylinder connecting rod were fracture separated. Disassembly of the engine revealed that the No. 5 main bearing saddle was separated from the crankcase and sustained "heavy damage." The parting surfaces of the crankcase halves at the No, 4 main bearing position exhibited "light fretting." Additionally, the crankshaft was fractured at the rear No. 5 crankpin to counterweight cheek area. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surface of the crankshaft revealed fatigue. No, "... non-conformances could be found with the crankshaft or other associated components." The engine had accumulated approximately 296 hours since manufacture at the time of the failure as determined by the airplane's recording tachometer. Review of the maintenance records revealed that the engine oil was drained and serviced last on September 25, 2001.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.