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NTSB Report
December 7, 1987 · Cessna 310R · N5052J
Hector, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hector, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 310R
Tail Number
N5052J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC88FA051
THE PILOT MADE A ROUTINE IFR POSITION REPORT 12 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES OBSERVED AN 'ORANGE BALL' BEFORE THE CRASH. EVIDENCE AT THE CRASH SITE SHOWED INFLIGHT JETTISON OF THE PILOT'S EMERGENCY WINDOW, POSITIVE AERODYDNAMIC OVERLOAD SEPARATION OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR COMPONENTS, AND PARTIAL EXPENDITURE OF THE COCKPIT PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT FIRE OUTBOARD OF THE RIGHT ENGINE WHERE A LOOSE B-NUT WAS FOUND ON A FUEL LINE. THE MOST EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE WAS LOCATED IN THE RIGHT COCKPIT FLOORBOARD AREA. TOX EXAM OF THE PLT REVEALED A 10 PERCENT CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL HOWEVER AN OXYGEN SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED ON THE ACFT WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN USED BY THE PLT DURING THE INFLT EMGCY.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT MADE A ROUTINE IFR POSITION REPORT 12 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WITNESSES OBSERVED AN 'ORANGE BALL' BEFORE THE CRASH. EVIDENCE AT THE CRASH SITE SHOWED INFLIGHT JETTISON OF THE PILOT'S EMERGENCY WINDOW, POSITIVE AERODYDNAMIC OVERLOAD SEPARATION OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER AND ELEVATOR COMPONENTS, AND PARTIAL EXPENDITURE OF THE COCKPIT PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT FIRE OUTBOARD OF THE RIGHT ENGINE WHERE A LOOSE B-NUT WAS FOUND ON A FUEL LINE. THE MOST EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE WAS LOCATED IN THE RIGHT COCKPIT FLOORBOARD AREA. TOX EXAM OF THE PLT REVEALED A 10 PERCENT CARBON MONOXIDE LEVEL HOWEVER AN OXYGEN SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED ON THE ACFT WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN USED BY THE PLT DURING THE INFLT EMGCY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time22:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireBoth
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 310R
Tail NumberN5052J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520M · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
WindCalm
Visibility25 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWFAC