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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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January 22, 1984 · Cessna 310G · N8969Z

Pequannock, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Pequannock, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 310G
Tail Number
N8969Z
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC84FA073

AN FBO MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD REQUESTED A JUMPSTART. THE WX WAS COLD (20 DEG) & THE INITIAL ATTEMPTED ENG START WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER BEING PREHEATED, BOTH ENGS WERE STARTED. NOTHING ABNORMAL WAS NOTED DURING TAXI, RUN-UP & THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HOWEVER, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, BLACK SMOKE WAS OBSERVED TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENG. AT APRX 600 FTAGL, THE SMOKE STOPPED & THE ACFT ENTERED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN & STARTED TO LOOSE ALT. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID HE 'LOST' HIS LEFT ENG. SUBLSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL, ENTER AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT & CRASH. WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUND OF ENG POWER, BUT COULD NOT TELL WHETHER IT WAS FROM 1 OR 2 ENGS. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE FLAPS WERE UP & BOTH PROPS WERE AT A LOW PITCH (UNFEATHERED) SETTING. THE LEFT PROP BLADES HAD LITTLE ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. A TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED: COCAINE 0.25 MG/L, BENZOYLECGONINE 3.78 MG/L, MORPHINE 0.32 MG/L, CODEINE 0.07 MG/L & CO2 9.2 TO 18%. THE PLT WAS A HVY SMOKER.

Full Narrative

AN FBO MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD REQUESTED A JUMPSTART. THE WX WAS COLD (20 DEG) & THE INITIAL ATTEMPTED ENG START WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER BEING PREHEATED, BOTH ENGS WERE STARTED. NOTHING ABNORMAL WAS NOTED DURING TAXI, RUN-UP & THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HOWEVER, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, BLACK SMOKE WAS OBSERVED TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENG. AT APRX 600 FTAGL, THE SMOKE STOPPED & THE ACFT ENTERED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN & STARTED TO LOOSE ALT. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID HE 'LOST' HIS LEFT ENG. SUBLSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL, ENTER AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT & CRASH. WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUND OF ENG POWER, BUT COULD NOT TELL WHETHER IT WAS FROM 1 OR 2 ENGS. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE FLAPS WERE UP & BOTH PROPS WERE AT A LOW PITCH (UNFEATHERED) SETTING. THE LEFT PROP BLADES HAD LITTLE ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. A TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED: COCAINE 0.25 MG/L, BENZOYLECGONINE 3.78 MG/L, MORPHINE 0.32 MG/L, CODEINE 0.07 MG/L & CO2 9.2 TO 18%. THE PLT WAS A HVY SMOKER.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:25 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310G
Tail NumberN8969Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-D · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data