You can contribute by submitting additional or updated information.
| Date: | Wednesday 29 December 2021 |
| Time: | 16:22 |
| Type: |  Cessna 207 Skywagon |
| Owner/operator: | Two Zero Seven Inc |
| Registration: | N1596U |
| MSN: | 20700196 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1971 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 13496 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental IO-520F |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | off Marathon, FL -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Non-Scheduled/charter/Air Taxi |
| Departure airport: | Marathon-Florida Keys Airport, FL (MTH/KMTH) |
| Naples Airport, FL (APF/KAPF) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On December 29, 2021, at 1622 eastern standard time, a Cessna 207 airplane, N1596U, sustained minor damage when it was involved in an accident in the Florida Bay near Marathon, Florida. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand air carrier flight.
Shortly after departure, the engine lost total power and the pilot was forced to ditch in open water; the occupants egressed and were subsequently rescued by a recreational vessel.
Examination of the engine revealed a fracture hole near the No. 2 cylinder, which was likely the result of the No. 2 cylinder connecting rod fracturing in fatigue as a result of high heat and high stress associated with failure of the No. 2 bearing. The fatigue fracture displayed multiple origins consistent with relatively high cyclic stress, which likely occurred as excessive clearances developed between the bearing and the crankshaft journal.
The No. 2 connecting rod bearing may have failed due to a material defect in the bearing itself or due to a disruption in the oil lubrication supply to the bearing/journal interface. Either situation can cause similar damage patterns to develop, including excessive heating and subsequent bearing failure.
Probable Cause: A total loss of engine power due to the failure of the No. 2 bearing, which resulted in the No. 2 connecting rod failing due to fatigue, high heat, and stress.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
https://www.wptv.com/news/state/3-people-rescued-from-plane-crash-near-florida-keys-marathon-international-airport
NTSB
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=1596U
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1596U/history/20211229/2139Z/KMTH/L%2024.89946%20-81.11664
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N1596U/history/20211229/2139Z/KMTH/L%2024.89946%20-81.11664/tracklog
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n1596u#2a575f42
https://www.airport-data.com/images/aircraft/001/545/001545543.jpg (photo)
History of this aircraft
Other occurrences involving this aircraft
| 8 July 1985 | ZK-DRY | Milford Sound Scenic Flights | Te Anau Aerodrome, Southland |  |
unk |
Location
Media:
3 people rescued from plane crash near Florida Keys Marathon International Airport https://t.co/ylhGyHrXXP pic.twitter.com/afKOs4hMqW
— WPTV (@WPTV) December 30, 2021
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2025 Flight Safety Foundation