NTSB Factual Report

On March 13, 2018, about 1330 eastern daylight time, a Cessna T210N, N5382A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Kissimmee Gateway Airport (ISM), Orlando, Florida. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating from ISM at the time of the accident. The post-maintenance flight test was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

The pilot reported that he and a coworker were conducting routine test flights with some new camera equipment that had just been installed on the airplane. On the morning of the accident he performed a test flight that lasted about 2 hours and returned to ISM with no issues. Prior to the accident flight he performed a preflight check. After starting the engine, he waited about 5 minutes to allow the camera system to boot up. He then taxied to runway 6 and was cleared for takeoff. As the airplane climbed, he felt there was something wrong with the engine although it continued to produce power. He checked all the instruments and gauges and did not see any abnormalities. When the airplane reached cruising altitude, the pilot reduced power and the engine "quit." The pilot notified the ISM air traffic control tower of the engine failure and made a forced landing on a road.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the empennage section of the airplane was separated from the fuselage. Both wings were buckled, and both wing assemblies were leaking fuel. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.