Just Out Of Annual

It was a beautiful October day. Clear sky, unlimited visibility, calm wind, smooth ride. My trusty 1960 Cessna 210 was humming along at 5500 feet, taking my pilot wife and me back home to Lebanon, Mo. (LBO). Suddenly, there was the deafening sound of silence from the front. The engine decided to stop without so much as a cough, sputter or warning. Funny how busy one can get in a few short seconds in a now-quiet cockpit. Boost pump on high, mixture full rich, switch tanks as my wife reached for the emergency checklist. We were about 20 miles from our destination. Maybe I could get the engine to start again, even for just a few more miles. My wife remained calm, although I could see the concern as she scanned the beautiful Ozarks hills and trees for an off-field landing spot.

Key Takeaways:

• A pilot experienced an unexpected, sudden engine failure in his Cessna 210, but managed to make an emergency landing at his destination airport after the engine intermittently restarted, running very roughly.
• The incident occurred shortly after an extensive annual inspection where two cylinders had been reworked, and despite the pilot's premonition that something felt wrong with the aircraft post-maintenance.
• The author emphasizes the importance of trusting one's instincts about aircraft performance, diligently practicing emergency procedures, and remaining vigilant after maintenance, as costly inspections do not always guarantee a safe aircraft.

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