Cessna T210M accident near Oxford, Iowa, May 2, 2021
On May 2, 2021 at about 8:52 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna T210M, registered N1215M, was destroyed in an accident during landing (aborted after touchdown) near Oxford, Iowa (Green Castle airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions that exceeded the airplane’s capability and his decision to attempt to takeoff from a field, which resulted in collision with a power pole/line and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2021 · about 8:52 pm local time
- Place
- Oxford, Iowa · Green Castle · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna T210M, built 1977 · all T210Ms on the register
- Registration
- N1215M · registry record · serial 21061924
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness reported that, after the airplane touched down on runway 15, it bounced, and the right wing lifted up to an estimated 45° angle. The airplane’s wings then leveled, and the airplane bounced a second time. The airplane landed, exited the runway surface to the left, and continued into a harvested cornfield. The witness heard the engine power increase, and the airplane pilot attempted to take off from the field. The airplane impacted a power pole and power line near the corner of the harvested cornfield, then impacted terrain and was destroyed by a postcrash fire. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The closest weather observing station reported wind from the southwest about 19 to 20 knots, gusting 27 to 30 knots. The airplane’s maximum demonstrated crosswind component during takeoff or landing was 21 knots. It is likely that the gusting crosswind lifted the airplane’s right wing and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control during landing. The pilot’s subsequent decision to attempt to take off from the corn field resulted in impact with the power pole/line.
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
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control on ground during landing (aborted after touchdown) defining event
- Other weather encounter during landing
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Maximum crosswind component › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Rough terrain › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,550 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,955.7 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 8, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Cont Motor TSIO-520-R (piston); 5,955 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: IOW Iowa City IA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 4,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 19 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.50 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from KCID, 8 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCID 022052Z 20019G27KT 10SM FEW060 29/14 A2950 RMK AO2 PK WND 22027/2051 SLP984 T02890139 58016
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
10 documents, released by the NTSB on April 26, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excerpt of Air Traffic Control Communications | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpt of Sheriff Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statements | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Witness Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Excerpt of Cessna Pilot Operating Handbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 8 | Autopsy Memo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Photo Array | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 10 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation Textron Aviation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N1215M the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.