NTSB: Downed GA Airplane Had Recent Engine Overhaul

A Cessna P210 that went down during takeoff earlier this month at an Atlanta-area airport had a relatively recent engine overhaul and conversion, according to a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The October 8 accident involving at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK) occurred shortly after 1 p.m., killing the pilot and three passengers on board.

“Review of PDK airport security surveillance video revealed that the airplane lifted off about 1,000 ft down Runway 21 in a nose-high attitude,” the NTSB said in the report, released Thursday. “The airplane then rolled left and reached an inverted attitude before it impacted nose first beside the runway.”

Less than three months before the incident, the 1978 aircraft had undergone an engine overhaul and conversion, the NTSB said.

“It was originally equipped with a reciprocating engine; however, it was converted to a RollsRoyce 250-B17F/2 turbo shaft 450-horsepower engine, equipped with a five-bladed composite MT propeller,” the NTSB said.

According to maintenance records, the conversion had been completed July 19, 2021, and the engine had accumulated 2.3 hours since its reentry into service. The airframe had accumulated 1,390 total hours, the NTSB said.

The NTSB is expected to issue a final report with analysis and probable cause within 12 to 24 months.