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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

June 24, 1998 · Cessna T310R · N5255C

Wheeling, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wheeling, IL
Aircraft
Cessna T310R
Tail Number
N5255C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI98LA221

The pilot stated that he was cleared for takeoff on runway 30R. As the pilot began his rotation at 85 knots the airplane began to drift off the right side of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, closed the throttles, and applied brake pressure. The aircraft impacted two airport signs before coming to a stop. The pilot stated that he then contacted the tower and taxied the airplane to the ramp without assistance. Post accident investigation show that there was substantial damage to the nose section of the aircraft. The winds reported at the airport, 16 minutes prior to the accident, were from 210 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported the accident could have been avoid or minimized had he closed the throttles sooner when struck by the gust of wind and had he pushed the nose of the airplane back on the ground to try and regain directional control.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions which resulted in a lack of directional control of the aircraft. Factors to the accident were the two airport signs and the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On June 24, 1998, at 1209 central daylight time, a Cessna T310R, N5255C, piloted by a commercial pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted airport signs, following a loss of control during takeoff from runway 30R (4397' x 50', concrete, dry) at the Palwaukee Municipal Airport, Wheeling, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight had an instrument flight plan on file. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with the intended destination of Westmoreland County Airport, Latrobe, Pennsylvania. According to the pilot's written statement, he was cleared for takeoff on runway 30R. The aircraft accelerated down the centerline to approximately 85 knots when the pilot started to rotate. The pilot stated that at rotation the aircraft began to drift off the right side of the runway. The pilot aborted the takeoff, closed the throttles, and applied brake pressure. The aircraft impacted two airport signs before coming to a stop. The pilot stated that he then contacted the tower and request to taxi back to the ramp. The aircraft was able to taxi to the ramp without assistance. Post accident investigation show that there was substantial damage to the nose section of the aircraft. The aircraft also suffered minor damage to the left wing-tip tank, left cowl flap, left engine nacelle, and one of the de-ice boots on the left propeller. Winds reported at the Palwaukee Airport, 16 minutes prior to the accident, were from 210 degrees at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented or minimized had "...I closed the throttles sooner when struck by the gust and pushed my nose gear back on the ground to try and regain some directional control."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:09 CDT
Nearest AirportPalwukee Municipal (0nm)
Runway30R
Runway Length4397 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna T310R
Tail NumberN5255C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSI0-520-BB · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 9 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data