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NTSB Report
December 31, 1986 · Cessna 310 · N5462J
Hamburg, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Hamburg, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 310
Tail Number
N5462J
Operator
Buffalo Express Airlines
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FAMS1
THE CESSNA 310R DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON A SVFR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT CANCELLED HIS CLEARANCE A FEW MINUTES LATER AND REPORTED IN VFR CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION. RADAR TRACKING SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT HEADING TOWARD LAKE ERIE. THE NEXT DAY SOME DEBRIS WAS FOUND ON THE LAKE SURFACE. THEY INCLUDED AN OIL SLICK, A SMALL PIECE OF ALUMINUM LATER IDENTIFIED AS BEING PART OF A TIP TANK AND A CURTAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER A LARGER PIECE OF ALUMINUM IDENTIFIED AS THE TOP COWL OF A CESSNA 310 WAS FOUND ON THE CANADIAN SIDE OF LAKE ERIE. THE OPERATOR IDENTIFIED THE PARTS AS BEING PAINTED LAKE THE MISSING AIRCRAFT AND THE CURTAINS IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE AIRCRAFT. NO MAJOR WRECKAGE OR SERIALIZED COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN FOUND AND THE REASON FOR THE AIRCRAFT NOT ARRIVING AT ITS DESTINATION IS UNKNOWN.
Full Narrative
THE CESSNA 310R DEPARTED THE AIRPORT ON A SVFR DEPARTURE. THE PILOT CANCELLED HIS CLEARANCE A FEW MINUTES LATER AND REPORTED IN VFR CONDITIONS. THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION. RADAR TRACKING SHOWED THE AIRCRAFT HEADING TOWARD LAKE ERIE. THE NEXT DAY SOME DEBRIS WAS FOUND ON THE LAKE SURFACE. THEY INCLUDED AN OIL SLICK, A SMALL PIECE OF ALUMINUM LATER IDENTIFIED AS BEING PART OF A TIP TANK AND A CURTAIN. A FEW DAYS LATER A LARGER PIECE OF ALUMINUM IDENTIFIED AS THE TOP COWL OF A CESSNA 310 WAS FOUND ON THE CANADIAN SIDE OF LAKE ERIE. THE OPERATOR IDENTIFIED THE PARTS AS BEING PAINTED LAKE THE MISSING AIRCRAFT AND THE CURTAINS IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE AIRCRAFT. NO MAJOR WRECKAGE OR SERIALIZED COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN FOUND AND THE REASON FOR THE AIRCRAFT NOT ARRIVING AT ITS DESTINATION IS UNKNOWN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:45 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 310
Tail NumberN5462J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBuffalo Express Airlines
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO 520 BA · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point28 C / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time13:45
Weather SourceWFAC