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NTSB Report
December 20, 1989 · Cessna 310Q · N117CC
Grand Rapids, MI
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 310Q
Tail Number
N117CC
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA048
THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 3.5 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE SMOKE WAS THE RESULT OF A FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENGINE NACELLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHUT DOWN AND FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENGINE AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE HEAT AND FIRE DAMAGE, INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT SHUT OFF THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE, WHICH INCREASED THE INTENSITY OF THE DAMAGE. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE AD NOTES HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE FORCED LANDING WAS SUCCESSFUL; DESPITE OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY END, NO DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING LANDING. THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN AFTER THE PILOT ESCAPED AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL WING DAMAGE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE UNDETERMINED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.
Full Narrative
THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 3.5 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE SMOKE WAS THE RESULT OF A FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENGINE NACELLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHUT DOWN AND FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENGINE AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE HEAT AND FIRE DAMAGE, INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT SHUT OFF THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE, WHICH INCREASED THE INTENSITY OF THE DAMAGE. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE AD NOTES HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE FORCED LANDING WAS SUCCESSFUL; DESPITE OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY END, NO DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING LANDING. THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN AFTER THE PILOT ESCAPED AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL WING DAMAGE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 EST
Nearest AirportGrand Rapids-Kent County (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 310Q
Tail NumberN117CC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-VO · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind290° @ 13 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:15
Weather SourceWFAC