Cessna 210E accident near Port Orange, Florida, January 25, 2012
On January 25, 2012 at about 8:15 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 210E, registered N7130U, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Port Orange, Florida (Spruce Creek Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be conclusively determined during postaccident examination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 25, 2012 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Port Orange, Florida · Spruce Creek Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210E, built 1965 · all 210Es on the register
- Registration
- N7130U · no longer on the register · serial 21058699
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, it was the first flight after the engine installation. Prior to departure, he conducted a preflight engine run-up and all systems were normal. The airplane then departed and climbed to the traffic pattern altitude. While on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to return to the airport but was unsuccessful and made a forced landing short of the runway in a heavily wooded area. An examination of the fuel did not reveal any contamination. While examination of the induction tubes revealed that the right side intake induction tube was not connected properly (the clamp was found tight but the rubber connection hose was not sealed), it may have become disconnected when the engine was dragged out from the accident site during recovery. Further, the engine manufacturer indicated that a loose intake induction tube would disrupt air flow but would not necessarily cause an engine to stop. Examination of the ignition system revealed that sections of the wiring were not sealed. Uninsulated or unsealed areas of the ignition system wiring could have caused grounding/shorting of the ignition system; however, the investigation was unable to conclusively determine the reason for the total loss of engine power.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › (general) › (general) › Malfunction
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,113 hours in all; 901 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 2,113 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 25, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,780 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 16, 2011; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor IO-550-F (piston); 263 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7FL6 Port Orange FL at 8:10 pm
- Destination: 7FL6 Port Orange FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 8:47 pm from 7FL6, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.