Primary finding
Probable cause
Chafing of a fuel system line.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While in climb to cruise flight, the airplane suffered a partial loss of engine power. The pilot determined that he would not be able to continue the flight and elected to conduct a gear up landing on a road. After touchdown the airplane drifted to the right and impacted trees. A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed that the engine upper deck pressure line was chafed.
Source record
Factual narrative
On August 31, 1993, at 0900 central daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N6649N, registered to Craig F. Baldwin of Mc Henry, Illinois, and operated by an airline transport rated pilot, experienced a loss of engine power. During a forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The business 14 CFR Part 91 flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was originating from Lake in the Hills, Illinois, with the intended destination of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during climb, after takeoff, the airplane suffered an excessive loss of power and he was unable to maintain flight. He then elected to conduct a forced landing on a road with the landing gear retracted. During the landing, the airplane drifted to the right and the right wing impacted trees. A post-accident examination by an Federal Aviation Administration inspector found that a hole was present in the upper engine deck pressure line (TCM P/N 630863), where the line was chaffed by a stainless steel ring on a rubber oil line. A detailed breakdown from the TCM parts list is attached, as an addendum to this report, for identification of the part. -