Cessna T210N N5300A

Summary

On 12 November 2017 at about 23:30 local time, a Cessna T210N registered N5300A, operated by Runzel Brothers Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Grayslake, Illinois, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 November 2017 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Grayslake, Illinois, United States

Nearest airport

Campbell (C81)

Coordinates

42.3242, -88.0803

Aircraft

Cessna T210N

Registration

N5300A

Category

Airplane

Year built

1979

Engines

1

Operator

Runzel Brothers Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pierre → Chicago/Prospect Heights/Wheeling

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Night

NTSB number

CEN18LA031

Nobody was injured.

The failure of the No. 4 connecting rod due to inadequate oil lubrication for reasons that could not be determined because the postaccident engine examination did not reveal any anomalies that would have caused a lack of lubrication.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While en route on an instrument flight rules cross-country flight, the pilot noticed that the engine oil pressure had decreased; the oil pressure gauge was indicating in the yellow range, but the other engine instruments were showing normal indications. During the descent to landing, when the airplane was about 2,500 ft mean sea level, the pilot heard a "loud bang" from the engine, and smoke filled the cockpit. After declaring an emergency and requesting vectors from air traffic control to the nearest airport, the pilot executed an emergency landing just short of the runway in a wet, grassy area; the airplane slid, came to rest upright on the runway, and sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed two large holes in the crankcase and mechanical damage on the inside of both crankcase halves. The No. 4 connecting rod, which exhibited thermal damage signatures, had separated from the crankshaft and thus punctured the holes in the crankcase. The No. 4 connecting rod bearings were significantly damaged consistent with lack of lubrication, and all of the connecting rod bearings displayed smear-type signatures consistent with lubrication distress. Gouging was found inside the oil pump consistent with the passage of hard particles during engine operation; it is likely that the metal pieces from the damaged engine passed through the oil pump and created the gouges. The turbocharger's oil scavenge check valve spring was found broken, which resulted in the check valve not closing automatically; it would not restrict oil traveling from the turbo to the scavenge pump. The pilot reported a normal oil level before the flight and no signs of oil leaking. Further, according to the engine manufacturer, an open check valve would not have any effect on oil consumption during engine operation; thus, it was not a factor in this accident. The reason for the lack of lubrication could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.