Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Oakland, California 94607
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 13:50 PDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

During a local photo flight at an altitude of 1,500 feet mean sea level (msl), the pilot reported a decrease in engine power followed by a complete loss of engine oil pressure. The pilot determined that due to his location and altitude, he was forced to make a landing on the water. During the landing, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the horizontal stabilizers and to the bottom of the fuselage. During the post-accident investigation, it was determined that the number two and three cylinders had been replaced 137.1 flight hours prior to the accident. During the engine examinations, thermal discoloration of the crankshaft main journals and damage to various other internal components were noted. The crankshaft was fractured just forward of the number two main bearing. The fracture surfaces of the crankshaft were mechanically damaged due to rotational forces. The number two main bearings were not found in the main bearing support diameters. Several bearing fragments were found in the oil sump and on the bearing support diameter. The crankcase itself had been compromised just above the number one cylinder. A review of the maintenance logbooks noted that the engine was beyond manufacturers' recommendations for time between overhaul. Several maintenance discrepancies and non-compliance with manufacturers' recommendations were also noted.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to the disintegration of the number two main bearing, which resulted in a fracture of the crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was inadequate maintenance.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 9/10/2008
Event Day of the Week Wednesday
Time of Event 1350
Event Time Zone Pacific Daylight Time
Event City Oakland
Event State CALIFORNIA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 94607
Event Date Year 2008
Event Date Month 9
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 375000N
Event Location Longitude 1221848W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Weather Observation Facility
Time of the weather observation 1353 Pacific Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 140
Weather Observation Facility ID OAK
Elevation of weather observation facility 9
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 8
Time Zone of the weather observation PDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 10
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 20
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) 12
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 300
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 9
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.84
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury None
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None 2
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All --
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 26255
NTSB Notification Source FAA
NTSB Notification Date Sep 10 2008 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 26 2009 5:45PM
User who most recently changed record coos
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office Oakland FSDO

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N6278C
NTSB Number LAX08LA292
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name CESSNA
Aircraft Model T210N
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number 21063853
Certified Max Gross Weight 4000
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 6
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Annual
Date of Last Inspection Jun 1 2008 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 137
Airframe Hours 8147
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated No
ELT Aided Location of Event Site No
ELT Type Unknown
Aircraft Owner Name JA MAR INDUSTRIES INC DBA
Aircraft Owner Street Address 2220 CALLE DE LUNA
Aircraft Owner City SANTA CLARA
Aircraft Owner State CA
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 95054
Operator is an individual? No
Operator Name JA MAR INDUSTRIES INC DBA
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address 2220 CALLE DE LUNA
Operator City SANTA CLARA
Operator State CA
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 95054
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Business
Second Pilot on Board --
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code RHV
Departure City SAN JOSE
Departure State CA
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 1320
Departure Time Zone PDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City --
Destination State --
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight Maneuvering
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Oct 19 2009 3:54PM
User who most recently changed record jonp
Since inspection or accident Time of Accident
Event Location Runway Number and Location N/A
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --