Airplane Struck A Power Pole And Power Line Near The Corner Of The Harvested Corn Field

Location: Oxford, IA Accident Number: CEN21FA207
Date & Time: May 2, 2021, 15:52 Local Registration: N1215M
Aircraft: Cessna T210M Injuries: 1 Fatal
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On May 2, 2021, at 1552 central daylight time, a Cessna T210M airplane, N1215M, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oxford, Iowa. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary air traffic control information, the pilot contacted the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, control tower and reported that he was going to perform touch and go maneuvers at Green Castle Airport (IA24), Oxford, Iowa, which was located about 8 miles south of CID.

A witness, who was located adjacent to the runway at IA24, reported the airplane entered a left traffic pattern for runway 15 (4,000 ft x 60 ft). After touchdown, the airplane 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 entered a harvested corn field. The witness then heard the engine rpm increase to full power, and the airplane attempted to take off from the field. The airplane struck a power pole and power line near the corner of the harvested corn field. Subsequently, the airplane impacted terrain and a postaccident fire ensued. The witness estimated the winds to be from the west about 25 to 30 knots.

The airplane wreckage was located in a harvested corn field about 750 ft east from the end of runway 15. Landing gear tire marks, consistent with the accident airplane’s landing gear, were noted in the harvested corn field adjacent to the runway and measured about 1,200 ft in length. The distance from the end of the tire marks to the power pole/power line was about 300 ft.

A separated outboard section of the left wing was located between the power pole and main wreckage. The main wreckage, which was consumed by fire, consisted of the fuselage, empennage, engine, and propeller assembly. The propeller assembly was separated from the engine crankshaft and found embedded in the soft terrain. Flight control continuity was established to all flight control surfaces and cockpit flight controls.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov