This February 2007 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Aircraft: Cessna T210.
Location: Rexburg, Idaho.
Injuries: 1 Fatal.
Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The pilot had told an aviation maintenance technician and a family member that the airplane had been experiencing a loss of engine power during flight. He told the family member that there had been two power loss incidents within the 18 months preceding the accident, but didn’t have the issue addressed by a mechanic. The pilot said he addressed the problem by adjusting the mixture setting.
According to witnesses, the airplane lost power just after takeoff. It turned sharply to the right and dove into the ground.
The post-accident examination of the engine found the inlet side of the fuel manifold valve coated with debris. The debris blocked the fuel manifold valve, creating erratic fuel pressure.
Probable cause: The loss of engine power due to the contamination of the fuel manifold valve, and the pilot’s continued operation of the airplane with known maintenance discrepancies.
