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AD On Cessna 210 Fleet, ITDM Pilots Get a Chance

Larry Anglisano
Verified
The Cessna 210 Centurion (a 1982 T210N is pictured) has a strong one-piece wing. The one that broke up in Australia was performing low-altitude aerial surveying and had severe corrosion.

After a Cessna T210M experienced an inflight breakup in Australia last year, the FAA has issued AD 2020-03-16, effective March 9, 2020, for the visual and eddy current inspections of the carry-through spar lower cap. The AD isn’t isolated to M-model Centurion, but also applies to the 210G, T210G, 210H, T210H, 210J, T210J, 210K, T210K, 210L and T210L series.

According to the AD, corrective action includes replacement of the carry-through spar (if necessary), application of a protective coating and corrosion-inhibiting compound and also reporting the inspection results to the FAA. In the accident airplane, it was fatigue cracking that initiated at a corrosion pit (severe corrosion was also reported on other Centurions) that ultimately caused the wing failure. 

Larry Anglisano

Editor in Chief Larry Anglisano has been a staple at Aviation Consumer since 1995. An active land, sea and glider pilot, Larry has over 30 years’ experience as an avionics repairman and flight test pilot. He’s the editorial director overseeing sister publications Aviation Safety magazine, IFR magazine and is a regular contributor to KITPLANES magazine with his Avionics Bootcamp column.