# NTSB WPR26LA335: Cessna 210, N9517T, Polson, MT, September 10, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Preliminary report
- Date: September 10, 2026, 10:05 local (16:05 UTC)
- Place: Polson, MT
- Coordinates: 47.701893, -114.1821
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7019&lon=-114.1821&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Investigation ongoing
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 203790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA335
- NTSB preliminary report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA335

## Preliminary report

On September 10, 2026, about 1005 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 210, N9517T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Polson Airport (8S1), Polson, Montana. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight The pilot reported that he was returning to 8S1 after a short flight. The flight was uneventful until the airplane was on final approach. According to the pilot, the airplane was high on the approach, and he initiated a forward slip to increase the descent rate. About 20 to 30 seconds after entering the slip, the engine lost all power. The propeller continued to windmill during the descent The pilot verified the mixture and fuel selector positions and manipulated the throttle; however, he was unsuccessful in his attempt to restore engine power. The pilot discontinued the slip and established a glide toward the airport. The airplane crossed a road near the approach end of the runway and struck a fence before coming to rest on the airport grass. The lower fuselage and left wing were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. The pilot reported that each wing tank contained about 16 gallons of fuel before departure. Fuel samples were obtained from the airplane, and the airplane was retained for further examination.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 210, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2073402), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9517T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9517T), registered now, S/N 57317, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57317
- Year built: 1960
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Departed: 52S, St. Ignatius, MT
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 8S1

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20260910011889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260910011889A), Sep 10, 2026: Cessna 210, Polson, MT, Substantial damage. Student pilot stated that he intended to practice forward slips to landing, upon entering forward slip the engine did not respond to power inputs resulting in…

## Other investigations on N9517T (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX92LA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA009), Oct 6, 1991: Cessna 210 (N9517T), Riverside, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF A HYDRAULIC GEAR RETURN LINE, WHICH CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT'S MAIN LANDING GEAR TO COLLAPSE DURING LANDING TOUCHDOWN.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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