Cessna 210 accident near Boston, Massachusetts, July 5, 1996
On July 5, 1996 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Cessna 210, registered N131AC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Boston, Massachusetts (Gnrl Edwrd Lwrnc Lgn Itnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a fracture failure of the crankcase, which resulted in separation of the number five cylinder, loss of engine power, and a ditched landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 1996 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Boston, Massachusetts · Gnrl Edwrd Lwrnc Lgn Itnl
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 210 · all 210s on the register
- Registration
- N131AC · no longer on the register · serial 57147
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During cruise flight, about 6,000 feet, the pilot radioed '. . . I seem to have an engine problem, I am about facing and uh looking at Weymouth Airport right now. I'm not declaring an emergency at this moment, but I do need to about face.' The controller advised the pilot that a nearby airport was closed. The pilot elected to proceed to another airport. The pilot radioed that the engine's oil pressure and temperature were '. . . in the right zone . . . .'; he later radioed 'We have no power. I have oil on the windshield.' The airplane was unable to glide to the airport. The pilot then ditched along the shore line. Examination of the engine revealed that the number five cylinder separated from the crankcase, with its mounting studs and fractured crankcase material attached. The fracture to the crankcase resulted in a 3.5 inch hole forward of the number 3 cylinder. The origin of the fracture was not determine.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 250 hours in all; 240 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,900 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-E (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PYM Plymouth MA at 10:30 pm
- Destination: NH31 Mountain View NH
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 27,000 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:06 pm from BOS, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.