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NTSB Report
December 24, 1988 · Cessna 310R · N5121J
Madison, IN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 24, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Madison, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 310R
Tail Number
N5121J
Operator
Hfg
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI89FA035
DURING A VOR/DME APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED BELOW THE DECISION HEIGHT ON A CIRCLING APPROACH. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH HIGH TENSION TOWERS AND/OR WIRES, THE PILOT INITIATED AN ABRUPT PULL-UP, FOLLOWED BY A STALL/SPIN INTO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DISREGARD OF IFR PROCEDURES IN DESCENDING BELOW THE MINIMUM DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH TO A POINT WHERE COLLISION WITH TOWERS AND/OR WIRES BECAME POSSIBLE. HIS ABRUPT MANEUVER TO AVOID SUCH COLLISION RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN, FROM WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO EFFECT A RECOVERY PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
DURING A VOR/DME APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED BELOW THE DECISION HEIGHT ON A CIRCLING APPROACH. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH HIGH TENSION TOWERS AND/OR WIRES, THE PILOT INITIATED AN ABRUPT PULL-UP, FOLLOWED BY A STALL/SPIN INTO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:34 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 310R
Tail NumberN5121J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorHfg
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-N · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind210° @ 15 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 1100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time10:50
Weather SourceWFAC