Cessna 210 Centurion
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The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear, single-engined,
high-wing A monoplane is a fixed-wing aircraft configuration with a single mainplane, in contrast to a biplane or other types of multiplanes, which have multiple wings. A monoplane has inherently the highest efficiency and lowest drag of any wing config ...
general-aviation
light aircraft A light aircraft is an aircraft that has a Maximum Takeoff Weight, maximum gross takeoff weight of or less.Crane, Dale: ''Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms, third edition'', page 308. Aviation Supplies & Academics, 1997. Light aircraft are use ...
. First flown in January 1957, it was produced by
Cessna Cessna () is an American brand of general aviation aircraft owned by Textron Aviation since 2014, headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. Originally, it was a brand of the Cessna Aircraft Company, an American general aviation aircraft manufactu ...
until 1986.


Development

The early Cessna 210 (210 and 210A) had four seats with a Continental IO-470 engine of . It was essentially a Cessna 182B to which was added a retractable landing gear, swept tail, and a new wing. In 1961, the fuselage and wing were completely redesigned: the fuselage was made wider and deeper, and a third side window was added. The wing planform remained the same; constant chord from centerline to out, then straight taper to chord at from centerline, but the semi-Fowler flaps (slotted, rear-moving) were extended outboard, from wing station 100 to Wing station 122, which allowed a lower landing speed. FAA certification regulations state that a single-engined aircraft must have a flaps-down, power-off stall speed no greater than . To compensate for the reduced aileron span, the aileron profile was changed and its chord enlarged. The 1964 model 210D introduced a engine and two small child seats, set into the cavity that contained the mainwheels aft of the passengers. In 1967, the model 210G introduced a
cantilever A cantilever is a rigid structural element that extends horizontally and is unsupported at one end. Typically it extends from a flat vertical surface such as a wall, to which it must be firmly attached. Like other structural elements, a cantilev ...
wing replacing the strut-braced wing. Its planform changed to a constant taper from root chord to tip chord. In 1970, the 210K became the first full six-seat model. This was achieved by replacing the flat leaf springs used for the retractable main landing gear struts (undercarriage) with tapered tubular steel struts of greater length. This allowed the tires to be nested farther to the rear of the fuselage, making room for the full-sized rear seats. The Centurion II was an option introduced in 1970 with improved avionics, and was available in both normally aspirated and turbocharged versions (Turbo Centurion II) In 1979, the 210N model eliminated the folding doors, which previously covered the two retracted main wheels. The tubular spring struts retract into shallow channels along the bottom of the fuselage and the wheels fit snugly in closed depressions on the underside of the fuselage. Some models featured deicing boots as an option.


Design

The aircraft was offered in a normally aspirated version, the model 210, as well as the
turbocharged In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (also known as a turbo or a turbosupercharger) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake air, forcing more air into the ...
T210 and the
pressurized Pressurization or pressurisation is the application of pressure in a given situation or environment. Examples Industrial Industrial equipment is often maintained at pressures above or below atmospheric. Atmospheric This is the process by which a ...
P210 versions.


Operational history

On May 21, 2012, the airworthiness authority responsible for the design, the US
Federal Aviation Administration The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a Federal government of the United States, U.S. federal government agency within the United States Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates civil aviation in t ...
, issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive requiring 3,665 of the cantilever-wing Cessna 210s to be inspected for cracks in the spar cap, wing spar, and wing. Aircraft with more than 10,000 hours of airframe time were grounded immediately pending a visual inspection. On May 26, 2019, a Cessna Model T210M airplane suffered an in-flight separation of the right wing. Preliminary investigations found cracking of the wing-spar carry-through where fatigue began from a small corrosion pit on the lower surface of the carry-through. Textron published a mandatory service letter (SEL-57-06) on June 24, 2019, to provide instructions for a detailed visual inspection of the wing carry-through spar. Since it shared a common carry-through design, the Cessna 177 Cardinal also received a similar mandatory service letter (SELF-57-07) and an airworthiness concern from the FAA. The FAA issued an Airworthiness Directive on February 21, 2020 mandating eddy current inspections of the carry-through spar lower cap, corrective action if necessary, application of a protective coating and corrosion inhibiting compound, and reporting the inspection results to the FAA.


Modifications

A wide range of modifications are available for the Cessna 210, including: * Aeronautical Engineers Australia has developed a life extension package for 210s suffering from wing-spar carry-through beam corrosion. * Crownair Aviation developed a Centurion Edition T210, which is a remanufactured aircraft introduced in November 2008 that features a glass cockpit and new engine along with other minor refinements. * Griggs Aircraft Refinishing offers a
Rolls-Royce Model 250 The Allison Model 250, now known as the Rolls-Royce M250, (US military designations T63 and T703) is a highly successful turboshaft engine family, originally developed by the Allison Engine Company in the early 1960s. The Model 250 has been pro ...
turboprop A turboprop is a Gas turbine, gas turbine engine that drives an aircraft Propeller (aeronautics), propeller. A turboprop consists of an intake, reduction drive, reduction gearbox, gas compressor, compressor, combustor, turbine, and a propellin ...
conversion of the T210 and P210N known as the "Silver Eagle". This conversion was previously offered by O&N Aircraft *Riley Rocket offers a restoration and addition of intercooler to Continental TSIO-520 models to boost power from . * Vitatoe Aviation offers the TN550 conversion which uses a Continental IO-550P engine with an IO-520 turbocharger with dual intercoolers and a larger alternator.


Variants

The Cessna 210 was manufactured in 26 model variants: C210, C210A-D, the Centurion C210E-H&J, Turbo Centurion T210F-H&J, the Centurion II C210K-N&R, the Turbo Centurion II T210K-N&R and the P210N&R. The 210N, T210N (turbocharged), and P210N (pressurized) versions were produced in the greatest quantity. The rarest and most expensive models were the T210R and P210R, which were produced only in small quantities in 1985-86. Several modifications and optional fittings are also available, including different engine installations, wingtip tanks, speed brakes, STOL kits, and gear door modifications. The early strut-winged Cessna 210B was developed into a fixed-gear aircraft known as the Cessna 205. This spawned an entirely new family of Cessna aircraft, including the
206 Year 206 ( CCVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Umbrius and Gavius (or, less frequently, year 959 ''Ab urbe condita''). The denomination 206 for this y ...
and the eight-seat
207 Year 207 (Roman numerals, CCVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known in Rome as the Year of the Consulship of Maximus and Severus (or, less frequently, year 960 ''Ab urbe condita''). The deno ...
. ;210 :Four-seat production variant with a Continental IO-470-E engine, 40 degree hydraulic flaps, gear doors, introduced in 1960,Danielle Bruckert and Oleg Roud (2008). ''Cessna 210 Training Manual''. . first flown in 1957, 575 built., ;210A :A 210 with a third cabin window on each side, production year 1961, 265 built. ;210B :A 210A with a cut-down rear fuselage, a rear-vision window and a Continental IO-470-S engine, production year 1962, 245 built. ;210C :A 210B with some minor changes, production year 1963, 135 built. ;210D Centurion :A 210C fitted with a Continental IO-520-A engine and increased takeoff weight to , production year 1964, 290 built. ;210E Centurion :A 210D with some minor changes, production year 1965, 205 built. ;210F Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210E with some minor changes and with option to use turbocharged Continental TSIO-520-C engine, production year 1966, 300 built. ;210G Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210F with a strutless cantilever wing and modified rear window, increased takeoff weight to , production year 1967, 228 built. ;210H Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210G with a new flap system and instrument panel, 210 built. Flap range decreased to 30 degrees, fuel capacity increased from . Production year 1968. ;210J Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210H with reduced wing dihedral, different nose profile and a Continental IO-520-J (or TSIO-520H) engine, production year 1969, 200 built. ;210K Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210J with rear changed to full seat to provide six seats, an IO-520-L engine, landing gear changed, enlarged cabin with a single rear side window, weight increased to , production years 1970-1971, 303 built. ; :A 210K with nose-mounted landing lights, the electrical system changed to 24 volt, the engine-driven hydraulic pump replaced with an electrical pump and a three-bladed prop fitted. Improved aerodynamics led to an increase in approximately in cruise speed. Production years 1972–1976, 2070 built. ;210M Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210L with minor changes and option to use TSIO-520-R engine, production year 1977-1978, 1381 built. ;210N Centurion / Turbo Centurion :A 210M with open wheel wells for main landing gear and had a new gear system and minor changes. Although this change appeared only on the C210N, most early models have had gear doors removed due to extensive maintenance and handling problems, leaving them similar to the "N". Production years 1979-1985, 1943 built. ; :A 210N with longer-span stabilizers and minor changes, production year 1986, 112 built. ; :A Turbo 210N with pressurized cabin, four windows each side, with a Continental TSIO-520-AF engine, production years 1978–1985, 834 built. ;P210R Pressurized Centurion :A P210N with longer-span stabilizers, increased takeoff weight and a Continental TSIO-520-CE engine, production year 1986, 40 built. ;Prop Jet Centurion 250 :Cessna turboprop conversion of P210 powered by
Allison 250 The Allison Model 250, now known as the Rolls-Royce M250, (US military designations T63 and T703) is a highly successful turboshaft engine family, originally developed by the Allison Engine Company in the early 1960s. The Model 250 has been pro ...
-B17 engine. One converted, flying in 1984. No production. ;Riley Turbine P-210 :Conversion of pressurized Cessna 210P Centurion aircraft, fitted with a
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 is a turboprop aircraft engine produced by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Its design was started in 1958, it first ran in February 1960, first flew on 30 May 1961, entered service in 1964, and has been continuously upd ...
A-112, flat rated at . No production. ;Silver Eagle II : Turboprop conversion of 210L, T210L or P210N by O&N Aircraft and from 2016, Griggs Aircraft Refinishing. Powered by Allison 250-B17 engine. Available from 1992. 114 conversions by 2023.


Operators


Civil

The Cessna 210 is widely used by flight training schools, private operators, air-taxi and commercial charter, and private companies.


Military


Accidents and incidents

*August 12, 1964, Charles Clifford Ogle took off in a Cessna 210A, N9492X, flying from Oakland, California to Las Vegas, Nevada. He disappeared and his airplane may have crashed in the
Sierra Nevada The Sierra Nevada ( ) is a mountain range in the Western United States, between the Central Valley of California and the Great Basin. The vast majority of the range lies in the state of California, although the Carson Range spur lies primari ...
, California. *On July 12, 1968, Leonard Bendicks hijacked a Cessna 210 from
Key West Key West is an island in the Straits of Florida, at the southern end of the U.S. state of Florida. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Island, it con ...
,
Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...
to
Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...
. He was deported to the US in September 1968. On March 4, 1971, he was sentenced to 10 years for kidnapping.Cuban Political Violence in the United States
Disorders and terrorism, National Advisory Committee, on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals Washington: 1976. Report of the Task Force on Disorders and Terrorism Appendix 6: Chronology of incidents of terroristic, quasi-terroristic attacks, and political violence in the United States:January 1965 to March 1976 By Marcia McKnight Trick
*On August 9, 1981, a Cessna 210M, VH-MDX crashed around the
Barrington Tops National Park The Barrington Tops National Park is a state park, protected national park in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, Australia. Government gazette, Gazetted in 1969, the park is situated between Scone, New South Wales, Scone, Singleton, New South ...
in
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, killing all five on board. The
Australian Transport Safety Bureau The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB is the federal government body responsible for investigating transport-related accidents and incidents within Australia. It covers ai ...
report mentions icing, violent weather, and instrument failure. *On March 5, 1987, a Cessna 210M, N1230M, piloted by car dealer and race car driver
Don Yenko Donald "Don" Frank Yenko (May 27, 1927March 5, 1987) was an American car dealer and racecar driver best known for creating the Yenko Camaro, a high-performance version of the Chevrolet Camaro. Biography Early life Yenko grew up in Bentleyvill ...
, landed hard near
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, bounced, hit a dirt bank, and crashed into a ravine, killing all four people aboard. *While flying N6579X, an early-model 210A, famed
test pilot A test pilot is an aircraft pilot with additional training to fly and evaluate experimental, newly produced and modified aircraft with specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques.Stinton, Darrol. ''Flying Qualities and Flight Testin ...
Scott Crossfield Albert Scott Crossfield (October 2, 1921 – April 19, 2006) was an American United States Navy, naval officer and test pilot. In 1953, he became the first pilot to fly at twice the speed of sound. Crossfield was the first of twelve pilots who fl ...
crashed and died in the woods of Ludville, Georgia, on April 19, 2006. The
National Transportation Safety Board The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and inci ...
established the probable cause as " e pilot's failure to obtain updated en route weather information, which resulted in his continued instrument flight into a widespread area of severe convective activity, and the air traffic controller's failure to provide adverse weather avoidance assistance, as required by Federal Aviation Administration directives, both of which led to the airplane's encounter with a severe thunderstorm and subsequent loss of control." *On May 26, 2019, about 25 km north‑east of
Mount Isa Airport Mount Isa Airport is an airport serving the western Queensland city of Mount Isa, Australia. It is served by a variety of scheduled regional airlines, with flights to Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns as well as several other regional centres. ...
in Australia, the right wing separated from a Cessna T210M. The structural failure led to a rapid loss of control and a collision with terrain. Both crew members were killed, and the aircraft was destroyed. The
Australian Transport Safety Bureau The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is Australia's national transport safety investigator. The ATSB is the federal government body responsible for investigating transport-related accidents and incidents within Australia. It covers ai ...
(ATSB) found that a pre-existing fatigue crack in the aircraft's wing spar carry-through structure propagated to a critical size resulting in an overstress fracture of the structure and separation of the right wing. The accident resulted in the issue of an airworthiness directive mandating visual and eddy current inspections of the carry-through spar lower cap and the application of a protective coating, plus a corrosion inhibiting compound. The ATSB stated that this accident would not have occurred if previously mandated inspections, due to past wing failures, had not been extended to be required only every three years. Following this crash a new service bulletin was issued and an FAA Airworthiness Directive, but inspections remained as every three years. The ATSB recommended more action to prevent future wing failures.


Specifications (T210N Turbo Centurion II)


See also


References


Notes


Bibliography

* * * * * * * *


External links


FAA Type Certificate Data Sheet 3A21
Type Certificate Data Sheet for Cessna 210 models. {{Cessna 210 High-wing aircraft Single-engined tractor aircraft 1950s United States civil utility aircraft Aircraft first flown in 1957 Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear Single-engined piston aircraft