Cessna T210N N4788C

Summary

On 30 November 1996 at about 16:34 local time, a Cessna T210N registered N4788C, operated by Scottsdale Flyers LLC, was involved in an accident near Scottsdale, Arizona, United States. 5 people were on board and 5 were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 November 1996 at 16:34

Classification

Accident

Location

Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Coordinates

33.6095, -111.8906

Aircraft

Cessna T210N

Registration

N4788C

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Scottsdale Flyers LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → San Diego

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX97LA058

5 people were seriously injured.

detonation/pre-ignition for unknown reason(s), which resulted in failure of the number two piston, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing on rough/uneven desert terrain.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While the airplane was climbing after departure, the engine lost power, then the pilot made a forced landing, and the airplane was damaged. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the piston in the #2 cylinder had failed. The #2 piston crown was severely eroded over 80 percent of the piston circumference. Erosion, scoring, and metal transfer was evident on the piston skirts. Before removal of the #2 cylinder, heat discoloration was noted on the cylinder base. A report from the engine manufacturer stated that the failure was due to detonation/preignition. The entire fuel system, both magnetos, and the turbo controller were functionally tested at the respective manufacturer's facilities. All of the components met the FAA approved test data.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.