Pilot Debrief

CESSNA P210 near Zapata, TX — 2025-08-13

Investigation ongoingCEN25LA317
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Date
2025-08-13
Location
Zapata, TX, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA P210
Registration
N92MS
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 August 13, 2025, about 1835 central daylight time, a Cessna P210N airplane, N92MS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Zapata, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that the flight was normal until he turned the airplane to return back to the McAllen International Airport, McAllen, Texas. During the return, he felt a severe vibration from the engine and noticed a partial loss of engine power. The engine instruments displayed 0 inches of manifold pressure, high oil temperature, low oil pressure, and high temperatures on the No. 4 and 5 cylinders. While diverting to the Zapata County Airport, Zapata, Texas, the engine lost total power, and the pilot was unable to glide the airplane to the runway. He then performed an off-field landing on a dirt road. During the landing roll on the dirt road, the airplane’s left wing collided with a tree, turning the airplane to the left into a tree line. Both wings sustained substantial damage. The airplane was retained for further investigation.

Preliminary NTSB coding

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

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