Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 210 near Dawson Springs, KY — 2026-09-02

Investigation ongoingERA26LA325
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Date
2026-09-02
Location
Dawson Springs, KY, USA
Airport
8M7
Aircraft
CESSNA 210
Registration
N9420M
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On September 1, 2026, at 2225 central daylight time, a Cessna 210K, N9420M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that about 10 minutes after departing from Madisonville Regional Airport (2I0), Madisonville, Kentucky, while climbing through about 4,500 ft mean sea level (msl) he heard a bang. Subsequently the engine began to shake and vibrate severely. The pilot continued that after the bang the engine “lost useful power but initially continued running.” He looked at his oil pressure and noted that it had dropped to zero, and multiple exhaust gas temperature (EGT) and cylinder head temperature (CHT) readings were dropping. The pilot attempted to glide to and land at Tradewater Airport (8M7), Dawson Springs, Kentucky. Because the airport was not equipped with airport lighting, and the pilot was unable to locate the airport in the dark. About 2,800 ft msl the pilot lowered the landing gear and selected a road to conduct the forced landing. During the landing the airplane impacted a power pole before landing on the roadway. During the landing roll the airplane contacted a guardrail and another utility pole which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, the horizontal stabilizer and elevator. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankcase was breached, with a broken connecting rod visible near the No. 6 cylinder. The airplane was recovered and retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Loss of engine power (total) · Enroute-cruise
  • Engine Failure Enroute
View NTSB preliminary report

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