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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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NTSB Report

April 13, 2022 · Cessna 310 Q · N7733Q

Selma, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 2022
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Selma, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 310 Q (1970)
Tail Number
N7733Q
Operator
Jupiter Flight Service and Investing
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA22LA198

The pilot reported that the airplane had been painted and the rudder reinstalled before the accident flight. He stated that immediately after takeoff he noticed that he needed to use significant left rudder to maintain directional control. He executed a precautionary landing on the airport property, landing hard in the grass at a 45° angle to the runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage and the nose landing gear fractured during the landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the rudder trim system was significantly out of rig. The pilot was unable to provide any maintenance records relating to the rudder removal and reinstallation. It is likely that the rudder and/or its trim system was installed incorrectly following the airplane’s repainting, which resulted in the pilot’s difficulty maintaining directional control and inability to make a normal landing on the runway. Although the pilot indicated that he performed the preflight checklist before takeoff, he stated that he may not have checked the control trims that are part of that checklist. It is likely that, had the pilot completed a preflight control check before the flight, he would have identified the improperly rigged rudder trim system.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of maintenance personnel to properly rig the rudder trim system after reinstallation and pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection after recent maintenance, which resulted in an inability to adequately maintain directional control during the flight.

Full Narrative

On April 13, 2022, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N7733Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Selma, Alabama. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, he needed to use significant left rudder to maintain directional control. After observing the engine monitors and noting that both engines were producing power, he held full left aileron and rudder input to maintain level flight and instructed the pilot-rated passenger to adjust the throttles to turn the airplane back to the airport for a precautionary landing. They were able to maneuver the airplane to land on the airport property, landing hard in the grass at a 45° angle to the runway. The nose landing gear fractured during landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The inspector also reported that the accident flight was the first flight after the airplane had been painted, and that the flight controls had been removed for the painting. Numerous placards were missing or obscured by paint, and painter’s tape was still attached in some areas. The rudder trim system was found to be significantly out of rig, and the inspectors were unable to move the rudder trim tab to the neutral position. The pilot was unable to provide any maintenance records relating to the rudder removal and reinstallation or a subsequent weight and balance check/adjustment. Although the pilot indicated that he performed the preflight checklist before takeoff, he stated that he may not have checked the control trims that are part of that checklist.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 CDT
Nearest AirportCraig Field Airport (0nm NNW)
Runway33
Runway Length8014 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 310 Q
Tail NumberN7733Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJupiter Flight Service and Investing
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-VO · Reciprocating · 260 | Continental · IO-470-VO · Reciprocating · 260
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · First Class · None
Crew 2None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 9 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time13:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data