N4872P

On November 24, 1994, at 1745 central standard time, a Cessna P210N, N4872P, was substantially damaged during a night forced landing following a loss of engine power near Aurora, Missouri. The private pilot received minor injuries. The personal flight originated at the Springfield Municipal Airport, Springfield, Missouri, at 1715 cst, with an intended destination of Rogers, Arkansas. An IFR flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.

The pilot reported that the aircraft performed normally during takeoff and climb from Springfield. However, during cruise at 6,000 feet, the engine began to "sound unusual" and a short time later it stopped completely. The pilot selected a farm field in darkness and complete a forced landing. The pilot reported that weather at the accident location was approximately 2,500 foot overcast with no obstruction to visibility.

The air traffic controller handling the flight at Fort Smith (Arkansas) Air Traffic Control Tower reported that the pilot indicated no difficulty on initial contact. The controller gave the pilot weather at Rogers Airport, advised which approach to expect and cleared the flight to descend to 4,000 feet. Approximately 10 seconds later the pilot reported that the aircraft's engine had quit. The controller attempted to assist the pilot in locating a nearby road or airport, however, by that time radar and radio contact had been lost with the flight.

The aircraft landed in an open field, all three landing gear collapsed due to overload and the aircraft came to rest upright. The pilot reported that he exited the aircraft and walked to a nearby farmhouse to call for assistance.

Subsequent disassembly of the engine revealed that the crankshaft had fractured for undetermined reasons.