Cessna P210N Safety Record

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, his failure to follow the published instrument departure procedure for the particular runway, and his continued flight into known adverse weather. A factor was thunderstorms.

The total loss of engine power resulting from a failure of the #4 cylinder exhaust valve and/or piston. Factors were the dark night conditions and the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.

Total failure of the vacuum system, and failure of the pilot to maintain aircraft control, resulting in wing spar failure. Factors were the pilot's spatial disorientation, and his exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane.

the delayed gear extension by the pilot. Contributing factors were the checklist not used by the pilot, the inoperative gear warning, and the maintenance replacement of the throttle control/gear warning interconnect cable not performed by company/operator management as recommended by the manufacturer's service letter.

A loss of engine power due to fatigue failure of the crankshaft from frictional heating for undetermined reasons. A related factor was the unsuitable terrain.

The pilot in command's (CFI) improper management of the fuel supply, which resulted in fuel exhaustion of the selected tank and the subsequent loss of engine power.

The failure of the resistor (inverter) in the door seal pressurization air pump due to continuous operation. Factors were a failure in the door seal pressurization system, its inadequate design by the manufacturer, its inadequate written instructions for installation and operation, and the installation of the improper electrical fuse by unknown persons.

The pilot's improper fuel management in which the fuel selector was positioned on tank with inadequate fuel resulting in fuel starvation. Also causal was the pilot's failure to perform the pilot operating handbook 'engine failure in flight' procedure. A factor was a ditch in the forced landing area.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate terrain clearance during a nighttime flight at low altitude through a mountainous area. Factors in the accident were the conditions of low clouds and dark light conditions.

the pilot's improper planning/decision and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations, which resulted in an inadequate supply of fuel, fuel exhaustion, and a subsequent forced landing at night. Darkness was a related factor.

The pilot's attempt to conduct visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions. A factor contributing to the accident was the presence of thick fog.

The pilot's inadequate fuel management. Factors in this accident were the pilot's reliance on a fuel data computer and his untimely reaction to a known fuel quantity discrepancy.

improper planning/decision by the pilot, which led to flight into icing conditions; and his failure to use all anti-ice and deicing equipment, as specified by the airplane operator's manual for inadvertent flight into icing conditions. This resulted in loss of engine power due to ice, a forced landing, and subsequent collision with trees during the forced landing. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather (icing) condition, failure of a FAA Flight Service Station briefer to provide adequate icing advisories to the pilot, and low ceiling and trees in the emergency landing area.

failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude during an over-water approach at night. Factors relating to the accident were darkness and pilot fatigue.

failure of the engine crankshaft, which resulted in loss of engine power, a forced landing, and subsequent damage to the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.

the failure of the pilot to follow the before starting engine checklist and ensure that the landing gear selector was in the down position, and the pilot's decision to takeoff with a known aircraft deficiency.