Cessna T210-M N317RG

Summary

On 9 December 2001 at about 16:51 local time, a Cessna T210-M registered N317RG was involved in an accident near Monticello, Arkansas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

9 December 2001 at 16:51

Classification

Accident

Location

Monticello, Arkansas, United States

Coordinates

33.6375, -91.8583

Aircraft

Cessna T210-M

Registration

N317RG

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Terrell → Monticello

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW02FA054

2 people died.

The separation of the #2 connecting rod and subsequent catastrophic failure of the engine. A factor was the in-flight collision with a vehicle while maneuvering to a emergency landing area.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported to ATC that he was having engine problems. Subsequently, the radar showed that the aircraft descended at an average rate of about 1,090 feet per minute over the next 4 minutes. A witness observed the airplane approaching from the south at "tree top level" apparently attempting to land on a highway. As the airplane approached the highway, it struck an asphalt compactor and "burst into flames." Teardown examination of the engine revealed that the #2 connecting rod had separated from the crankshaft during engine operation. No evidence engine lubrication distress was found and the fractured surfaces from the connecting rod components all showed evidence of overload.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.