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Accidents · NTSB LAX08LA292 · Final report

Cessna T210N accident near Oakland, California, September 10, 2008

On September 10, 2008 at about 8:50 pm local time, a Cessna T210N, registered N6278C, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Oakland, California. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

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.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
September 10, 2008 · about 8:50 pm local time
Place
Oakland, California · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna T210N · all T210Ns on the register
Registration
N6278C · no longer on the register · serial 21063853
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

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.

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

  1. Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during maneuvering
  2. Loss of engine power (total) during maneuvering defining event
  3. Ditching during emergency descent

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Failure
  • factor Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › (general) › Inadequate inspection
  • factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › (general) › Not specified

Pilot

  • Certificate: commercial pilot
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 2,300 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 2,300 as pilot in command
  • Last flight review: June 15, 2007
  • Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: no injuries

The aircraft

  • Airframe total time: 8,147 hours
  • Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2008; 137 hours since
  • Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: fixed
  • Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520 SER (piston); 0 hours total
  • Operator: Ja Mar Industries INC DBA

The flight

  • Departed from: RHV San Jose CA at 8:20 pm
  • Flight plan: none

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 300° at 9 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
  • Observation at 8:53 pm from OAK, 8 miles away

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers1

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.