Cessna P210 accident near Bartow, Florida, February 20, 2021
On February 20, 2021 at about 10:00 pm local time, a 1981 Cessna P210, registered N210GE, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Bartow, Florida (Bartow Exec airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A leaking left main landing gear down lock actuator, which resulted in a loss of hydraulic fluid and a subsequent landing gear collapse during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 20, 2021 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Bartow, Florida · Bartow Exec · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna P210 N, built 1981 · all P210s on the register
- Registration
- N210GE · registry record · serial P21000655
- 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, after takeoff, he was receiving abnormal oil temperature, pressure, and voltage indications, and he decided to return to the departure airport. During landing, the main landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left main landing gear down-and-lock actuator was leaking hydraulic fluid, and the hydraulic fluid reservoir was empty. The reservoir was filled, and the landing gear retracted and extended normally during a subsequent test. Given this information, it is likely that there was inadequate hydraulic fluid available to fully extend and lock the main landing gear, which resulted in the subsequent main landing gear collapse.
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
- Landing gear collapse during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Landing gear system › Landing gear actuator › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,260.3 hours in all; 610.5 in this make and model; 8.9 in the last 90 days; 4.2 in the last 30 days; 3,003 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 28, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,974 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 16, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 4,000 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470 (piston); 4,703 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GMU Greenville SC
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 09L, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 010° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from KBOW
Weather report (METAR): KBOW 202050Z 01011KT 10SM SKC 19/05 A3022
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on January 27, 2023. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 3 pages | 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 N210GE 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.