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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

September 24, 1995 · Cessna 310P · N5926M

Lexington, MS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 24, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lexington, MS
Aircraft
Cessna 310P
Tail Number
N5926M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL95FA173

Witnesses stated that they observed the aircraft as it came out of the base of the clouds. The aircraft was in a right bank, nose down attitude as it descended out of the clouds, and maintained that attitude until impact with the terrain. They also stated that the weather in the area at the time was about 200 feet overcast. The pilot's son reported that his father was not proficient in the aircraft, and relied on the autopilot to fly the aircraft. He also said that his father had open heart surgery in 1978, and again in 1990, and could not obtain an FAA Medical Certificate.

NTSB Probable Cause

the non-instrument rated pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. The weather was a factor.

Full Narrative

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 24, 1995, about 0940 central daylight time, a Cessna 310P, N5926M, collided with the ground during an uncontrolled descent near Lexington, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private, non-instrument rated pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. Origination of the flight was the C.A. Moore Airport, Lexington, Mississippi, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. Witnesses in the area reported seeing the aircraft descend out of the base of the clouds heading in an easterly direction. They reported that the aircraft was at about 200 feet above ground level, in a right bank, and descending, at the time they observed the aircraft. The aircraft continued the right turn, and descent into the terrain. After the aircraft impacted the terrain, there was an intense post crash fire. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine ratings. His third class medical, issued on January 10, 1989, had expired. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records showed that he had accumulated 3,600 hours of flight time. No pilot records for the pilot were found. The pilot's son reported that his father was not competent to fly the aircraft, and relied on the aircraft autopilot to fly the aircraft. He stated that his father had open heart surgery in 1978, and again in 1990, and that he could not obtain an FAA medical certificate. He said that his father had reported to him that he had vertigo during the flight into Lexington a couple of weeks prior, and that he was going to take the aircraft back to Dallas, and sell it. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Cessna 310P is a twin engine, low wing, retractable gear airplane. No records for the aircraft could be located following the accident. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Instrument meteorological conditions existed at Greensboro, Mississippi at the time of the accident, and witnesses near the accident site reported that the ceilings in the area were about 200 feet above ground level. Additional meteorological information may be obtained on page 4 of this report. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft impacted the terrain in a field near Lexington, Mississippi. There was an intense post crash fire, and most of the aircraft was consumed in the fire. The aircraft engines were involved in the post crash fire. All of the engine accessories were consumed in the fire. There was no evidence of pre-impact failure of the engines. The aircraft propellers showed signs of "S" bending and twisting towards low pitch. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Dr. Steven T. Hayne of Brandon, Mississippi. Dr. Hayne reported that the pilot died as a result of blunt force trauma received in the accident. A Toxicological examination of the pilot was conducted by the Department of Defense Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC. The report was negative for the use of ethanol. The report stated that 0.15 milligrams per kilogram of ephedrine was found in the kidney. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The aircraft wreckage was released to Sergeant Willie Rule, of the Holmes County, Mississippi Sheriffs Office on September 26, 1995.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:40 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310P
Tail NumberN5926M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 7 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data