Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

July 12, 1995 · Cessna 310 · N3083D

Ridgeland, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 12, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ridgeland, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 310
Tail Number
N3083D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL95LA132

EN ROUTE, THE PILOT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS MODE C ENCODER WAS NOT BEING RECEIVED. THE AIRPLANE SLOWLY BEGAN LOSING ELECTRICAL POWER, WITH EVENTUAL FAILURE OF ALL COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING A HAND-HELD GPS THAT USES POWER FROM THE AIRCRAFT'S BATTERIES.) THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT USING PILOTAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE FUEL GAGES WERE INDICATING 10 GALS IN EACH TANK, HE DECIDED TO MAKE AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE GEAR, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AN ATTEMPT TO MANUALLY PUMP THE GEAR DOWN WAS NOT MADE. TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE FORCED THE PILOT TO INITIATE A GEAR UP LANDING ON A SERVICE ROAD ADJACENT TO THE INTERSTATE. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MAINTAINED FULL POWER DURING THE ENTIRE SEQUENCE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE BATTERIES WERE RECHARGED AND REPLACED IN THE AIRCRAFT. BOTH ALTERNATORS AND ALTERNATOR SWITCHES OPERATED NORMALLY. NO EVIDENACE OF CHARGING CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS NOTED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ALTERNATORS WERE ON WHICH LED TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTEMPT TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR BY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES.

Full Narrative

On July 12, 1995, about 1455 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310, N3083D, collided with the terrain during an intentional gear up landing near Ridgeland, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot nor his commercially rated pilot passenger. The airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Titusville, Florida, about 1250 eastern daylight time, on the same day. According to the pilot, the flight was normal until Daytona Beach Approach Control advised him that the mode "C" portion of the transponder was not being received. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the pilot realized that he had a failure of all of his communication and navigation equipment,including a hand held GPS that received power from the aircraft's battery. At this time the pilot also noticed that the fuel gauges were indicating a rapid loss of fuel. The aircraft was approaching Savannah International Airport at an altitude of 8,500 feet, when the pilot made the decision to locate an uncontrolled field where he could make a safe landing. The pilot and his passenger then attempted to use pilotage to locate Ridgeland County Airport, in Ridgeland, South Carolina, which should have been a 15 minute flight. The pilot stated that they were unsuccessful in locating the airport, and the fuel gauges continued to indicate an abnormal fuel burn. The pilot elected to land on an interstate highway, and a pre-landing checklist was completed. However, an attempt to lower the landing gear was unsuccessful. The pilot did not attempt to use the emergency extension system. Traffic on the interstate forced the pilot to attempt a gear up landing on an adjacent service road. During the landing sequence, the airplane collided with trees, and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that the engines never lost power. A post crash examination of the aircraft was completed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft landing gear was raised and extended without any problem. Both alternators and regulators were secured, and the drive belts were installed. All electrical connections were tight. All circuit breakers were in. The fuel quantity was checked in each tank, except the left tip tank which had been compromised in the landing. Both inboard tanks had fuel to a level four inches below the filler neck. The right tip tank had fuel to a level 11.5 inches below the filler neck. The batteries were recharged and replaced in the aircraft. The damaged propellers were removed,and the engines were run with a test propeller. Both of the alternators and alternator switches operated normally. No evidence of malfunction or failure was noted.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310
Tail NumberN3083D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470M · Reciprocating · 240
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 9 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data