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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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October 20, 1987 · Cessna 310 · N57DS

Brownton, MN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Brownton, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 310
Tail Number
N57DS
Operator
Robert R Kartes
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88FA008

ACFT CRASHED IN OPEN FARM FIELD DURING NIGHT DARK CONDITIONS WITNESS HEARD LOUD ROAR OF ENGS THEN A HARD DULL THUD AND THEN SILENCE. ANGLE OF IMPACT WAS NEAR VERTICAL. ENGS WERE BURIED 8FT AND DIST OF WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO WITHIN THE DIMENSIONS OF ACFT. PLT GIVEN PIREP ON FLT TO OGALLALA ADVISING OF TURB AND RIME ICE. NO RADIO CONTACT OR WEATHER UPDATE REQUEST ON FLT BACK TO CRYSTAL CITY. THE WX AT THE ACC SITE WAS UNKNOWN EXCEPT FOR A RESIDENT NEAR THE SITE WHO SAID IT WAS COLD BUT NOT RAINING WHEN SHE HEARD THE SOUND OF THE ACFT AND THE THUD OF WHAT SHE BELIEVED WAS THE ACFT CRASHING. THE FSS AT REDWOOD FALLS, MN, ABOUT 36 NM FROM THE ACC SITE, REPORTED AT 0100 CDT OBS 1000 FT SCATTERED, 1500 FT OVERCAST AND 12 MILES VISIBILITY.

Full Narrative

ACFT CRASHED IN OPEN FARM FIELD DURING NIGHT DARK CONDITIONS WITNESS HEARD LOUD ROAR OF ENGS THEN A HARD DULL THUD AND THEN SILENCE. ANGLE OF IMPACT WAS NEAR VERTICAL. ENGS WERE BURIED 8FT AND DIST OF WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO WITHIN THE DIMENSIONS OF ACFT. PLT GIVEN PIREP ON FLT TO OGALLALA ADVISING OF TURB AND RIME ICE. NO RADIO CONTACT OR WEATHER UPDATE REQUEST ON FLT BACK TO CRYSTAL CITY. THE WX AT THE ACC SITE WAS UNKNOWN EXCEPT FOR A RESIDENT NEAR THE SITE WHO SAID IT WAS COLD BUT NOT RAINING WHEN SHE HEARD THE SOUND OF THE ACFT AND THE THUD OF WHAT SHE BELIEVED WAS THE ACFT CRASHING. THE FSS AT REDWOOD FALLS, MN, ABOUT 36 NM FROM THE ACC SITE, REPORTED AT 0100 CDT OBS 1000 FT SCATTERED, 1500 FT OVERCAST AND 12 MILES VISIBILITY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time01:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310
Tail NumberN57DS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert R Kartes
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470M · Reciprocating · 240
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind280° @ 14 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point34 C / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time06:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data