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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.

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NTSB Report

January 24, 1996 · Cessna 310R · N5079J

Fort Pierce, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 24, 1996
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Fort Pierce, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 310R
Tail Number
N5079J
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA96LA071

The flight was on left base for landing when the left engine lost power. The pilot believed that the right engine would not produce full power. He attempted to land on a road, but the airplane struck a tree and subsequently burned. According to the pilot, when he departed the Bahamas, there was "20 gallons in each main [tank], 30 [gallons] in each auxiliary tank, 20 [gallons] in left wing locker...[the] duration of the flight 1+40, fuel consumption 31 gallons per hour," or an approximate burn of 52 gallons of fuel. While cruising at 6500 feet, he "switched" to the auxiliary tanks, "drained the left wing locker tank" and switched back to the main tanks. Examination of the wreckage revealed the left engine propeller had not been feathered. Also, the landing gear was found extended, and the left engine cowling was intact. The right engine and the right side of the airplane had been consumed by fire damage, but the left engine did not display any fire damage. Both fuel selectors were found positioned to the main fuel tanks. The left engine was placed on a test stand, and a test run was conducted, but no discrepancies were found.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the pilot to follow emergency procedure(s) and/or feather the respective propeller after loss of power in the left engine for an undetermined reason. The undetermined loss of power (left engine) was a related factor.

Full Narrative

On January 24, 1996, about 1119 eastern standard time, N5079J, a Cessna 310R crashed in Fort Pierce, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries, and one passenger was seriously injured. The flight originated from Freeport, Bahamas, with a stop at North Eleutria Island. The pilot stated that on left base for landing the left engine failed and he did not feather the propeller. He further stated that the right engine would not produce full power. He attempted to land on a road and struck a tree. There was an extensive postcrash fire. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, when they departed North Eleutria Island, there was "20 gallons in each main [tank], 30 [gallons] in each auxiliary tank, 20 [gallons] in left wing locker...duration of the flight 1+40, fuel consumption 31 gallons per hour," or an approximate burn of 52 gallons of fuel. The pilot further stated that while at a cruise altitude of 6500 feet, he "switched" to the auxiliary tanks, and had "drained the left wing locker tank" en route to Freeport. Between Freeport and Fort Pierce, he switched back to the main tanks, and was on the mains when he landed. The pilot told the police that after performing the landing check list he extended the landing gear. He then turned left onto base leg when the "left engine quit." He went to full power on the right engine, but was "unable to get full power." Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left engine propeller was not feathered. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was down, and the left engine cowling was intact. The left engine and cowling did not display any fire damage. The right engine and right side of the airplane had been consumed by fire damage. Both fuel selectors were found on the main fuel tanks. The left engine was placed on a test stand and a test run was conducted. No discrepancies were found during the engine test run.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:19 EST
Nearest AirportSt Lucie County (0nm)
Runway14
Runway Length4756 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310R
Tail NumberN5079J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 81 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:22
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data