Cessna Stationair/Turbo Stationair 6
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 107; Flight Crew Total 1200; Flight Crew Type 160
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Diverted; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Experienced power fluctuations in flight +/- 100rpm. Noticed turbine inlet temperature gauge was reading zero and determined the cause to be a turbocharger failure. Made an immediate turn toward [nearby airport] and notified ATC of engine trouble and the need to land. Added full prop/throttle/mixture; selected both fuel tanks; and engaged the auxiliary fuel pump to ensure fuel was not the cause of the problem. Continued toward the airport and approximately 2 NM away from the approach end of runway 17 lost 1000 rpm at full power. [Notified ATC] at that point and entered a right base for 17. Turning base to final; engine seized and stopped completely. Landed safely and coasted off the active runway onto taxiway D. Mechanic's initial diagnosis is that the turbocharger seized and broke apart causing the engine to fail.
The pilot of a C206T reported a loss of engine power due to an apparent turbocharger failure.