Cessna T210M accident near Put-In-Bay, Ohio, August 13, 2010
On August 13, 2010 at about 3:42 pm local time, a Cessna T210M, registered N14AW, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Put-In-Bay, Ohio (Put-In-Bay airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power while on final approach for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 2010 · about 3:42 pm local time
- Place
- Put-In-Bay, Ohio · Put-In-Bay · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N14AW · no longer on the register · serial 21061843
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine experienced an abrupt loss of engine power while turning onto the final approach leg of the traffic pattern. His attempts to restore engine power were unsuccessful and he elected to ditch the airplane near a ferry dock. The airplane came to rest in about 22 feet of water, approximately 50 yards from the shoreline. A postaccident examination and operational test run of the engine did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a complete loss of engine power. The examination did reveal a section of missing material from the edge of the No. 6 cylinder exhaust valve and irregular combustion deposits on the face of the valve. Both signatures are consistent with an exhaust leak and a corresponding partial loss of engine power. During the test run, the engine started normally and without hesitation. The engine was unable to produce rated power due to an exhaust leak.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Ditching during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Damaged/degraded
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,786 hours in all; 1,533 in this make and model; 24 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 1,689 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 17, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,924 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 12, 2009; 60 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520-R9 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1D2 Plymouth MI at 3:05 pm
- Destination: 3W2 Put-In-Bay OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 03, 2,879 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,400 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from TDZ, 29 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.