Cessna 210 Centurion Safety Record & Wing Spar AD Guide | AeroGurus

Editorial safety summary — see Cessna 210 listings and consult a qualified A&P/inspector for individual aircraft decisions.

The Cessna 210 Centurion has a generally good safety record for a high-performance retractable-gear single, with one significant fleet-wide structural issue that any buyer must understand: the wing spar carry-through. Airworthiness Directive 2020-03-16 mandated repetitive ultrasonic inspections of the wing spar carry-through on 210-series aircraft following an in- flight wing separation accident. The AD applies to specific year ranges and high-time aircraft; compliance is non-negotiable and the inspection finds occasional cracks that require structural repair. With AD compliance and proper pilot training, the 210's safety profile is in line with other high-performance retractables. The 210's wing spar AD is the dominant pre-buy safety item; otherwise, accident patterns track the high-performance-retractable class (gear discipline, IMC decision-making, engine management).

Common safety topics

  • Wing spar AD (2020-03-16) — repetitive ultrasonic inspection; mandatory; verify last
  • Landing gear discipline — retractable gear; proper pre-landing checklist and gear-warning
  • High-performance-single transition — the 210's cruise speed and complexity demand specific
  • Engine management — Continental IO-520 / TSIO-520 (turbocharged); proper leaning and cooling

Pre-buy safety checklist

  • Wing spar AD 2020-03-16 inspection status — last inspection date and findings.
  • Engine logs — IO-520 / TSIO-520 overhaul history, compression, oil analysis.
  • Landing gear actuator, retraction tests, gear-warning function.
  • Airframe inspection — corrosion-prone areas, control surface condition.
  • Avionics revision and mandate compliance.

Safety FAQ

What is the wing spar AD?
AD 2020-03-16 mandates ultrasonic inspection of the wing spar
Is the 210 safe?
With wing spar AD compliance and proper pilot training, accident rates are
Are gear-up landings common?
Yes — same as other retractable singles; proper checklist
T210 (turbocharged) reliability?
TSIO-520 turbocharger has specific operating procedures;
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