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NTSB Report
January 16, 1990 · Cessna 310R · N5115J
Burlington, VT
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 16, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Burlington, VT
Aircraft
Cessna 310R
Tail Number
N5115J
Operator
Malcolm French
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90FA054
THE CESSNA 310 DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AS IT WS BEING VECTORED TO AN ILS APPROACH AT NIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS. SUBSEUQENTLY IT CRASHED IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN. THE LAST RECORDED ALTITUDE WAS 2100 FT, EXCEPT THE CONTROLLER SAW IT MOMENTARILY AT 1200 FEET PRIOR TO ITS DISAPPEARANCE. COMMUNICATIONS WERE NORMAL. A PORTION OF THE FUSELAGE WAS RECOVERED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT; HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THIS PORTION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL WHY THE ACDNT HAD OCCURRED.
NTSB Probable Cause
FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DESCENT AND CRASHED IN A LAKE.
Full Narrative
THE CESSNA 310 DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AS IT WS BEING VECTORED TO AN ILS APPROACH AT NIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS. SUBSEUQENTLY IT CRASHED IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN. THE LAST RECORDED ALTITUDE WAS 2100 FT, EXCEPT THE CONTROLLER SAW IT MOMENTARILY AT 1200 FEET PRIOR TO ITS DISAPPEARANCE. COMMUNICATIONS WERE NORMAL. A PORTION OF THE FUSELAGE WAS RECOVERED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT; HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THIS PORTION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL WHY THE ACDNT HAD OCCURRED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:58 EST
Nearest AirportBurlington (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length7807 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 310R
Tail NumberN5115J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMalcolm French
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind290° @ 4 kt
Ceiling800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:50
Weather SourceWFAC