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January 5, 2003 · Cessna 310R · N37221

Ada, MN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 5, 2003
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ada, MN
Aircraft
Cessna 310R
Tail Number
N37221
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI03LA046

The airplane impacted trees and terrain during a non-precision instrument approach to land in instrument meteorological conditions, which had variable ceilings below published minimums based upon the closest weather reporting station 27 nautical miles southwest of the airport. The pilot stated he was engrossed in maintaining airspeed, and the passenger reported the pilot was too busy looking for the runway. The pilot further reported the accident could have been avoided if he had landed at his alternate airport.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the minimum descent altitude and his failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A low ceiling was a factor.

Full Narrative

On January 4, 2003, at 2047 central standard time, a Cessna 310R, N37221, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed on impact with trees and terrain during a GPS approach to runway 33 at Norman County Ada-Twin Valley Airport (D00), Ada, Minnesota. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating on an instrument rules flight plan. The pilot received serious injuries, the right front seat passenger was uninjured, and the rear seat pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. The flight originated from Black Hills-Clyde Ice Field Airport, Spearfish, South Dakota, at 1730 mountain standard time. The pilot reported the aircraft entered icing conditions. The pilot indicated he was "engrossed in maintaining blue line airspeed." The passenger occupying the rear seat, who was a certified airframe and powerplant mechanic, reported the anti-icing boots along the leading edges of the wings were working. The passenger further stated the pilot was, "too busy looking for the runway." The passenger reported observing the altitude of the aircraft as 1,000-1,300 feet above sea level prior to impact with terrain. The passenger further noted he "was getting ready to say something to the pilot prior to impacting." The weather observation facility at Fargo, North Dakota, 27 nautical miles southwest of the accident site reported the weather at 2053 as: winds 320 degrees at 10 knots, 6 statute miles visibility in mist, overcast ceiling at 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL), temperature -3 degrees Celsius (C), dew point -4 degrees C, altimeter 29.98 inches of mercury, ceiling variable from 500 feet AGL to 1300 feet AGL. The pilot reported that this accident could have been avoided if he had landed at his alternate airport, Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:47 CST
Nearest AirportTwin Valley Airport (2nm NNW)
Runway33
Runway Length3103 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310R
Tail NumberN37221
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-EB · Reciprocating · 300 | Continental · TSTO520EB · Reciprocating · 300
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 48 · First Class · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 25 C
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time02:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data