20250401005189A

On 04/01/2025 approximately 1720 local time a Cessna model 310Q was damaged when it was involved in an accident near Midvale, OH. The pilot was fatally injured. The sequence of events indicates the aircraft departed Harry Clever airport (phd) approximately 1640 local time with a single occupant, the pilot, on board. The pilot was observed flying in circular pattern southeast of the airport when it crashed in the open field approximately 3.6 miles from phd. Witnesses reported no abnormal noise when the aircraft departed the airport. Winds were reported to be n-nw at 6 knots. Visibility at least 10 miles, variable scattered clouds. According to the crew of the aircraft in the airport’s traffic pattern, the pilot in the Cessna 310Q made a radio call that he was breaking off the approach at approximately 2 mile final. Next transmission from the Cessna 310Q pilot indicated that he was executing a 360 degree turn on final approach. The next time the aircraft was observed it was in a nose down attitude spinning toward the ground. Subsequently, the aircraft was observed on the ground engulfed in flames.

Reports by witnesses indicated that the aircraft was heading northwest toward runway 33 to land at phd. The aircraft was observed making a steep bank right turn followed by a spiral nosedive into the ground. Accident site examination indicated that the aircraft impacted the ground in a straight down attitude and caught on fire post-crash. Most severe damage from the fire was concentrated in the center of the aircraft. No fire damage was noted on small sections of the empennage and vertical and horizontal stabilizer sections. The left wing was angled rearward indicating it impacted the ground first. There was a very small debris field, the propellers and propeller hubs were buried in the ground and there was no evidence of the aircraft skidding, which indicated a vertical descent angle until ground impact. It was noted that the landing gear was extended, and partial flaps were observed. Flight control continuity was established from cockpit to all flight control surfaces. Left and right engines exhibited impact and thermal damage. Crankshaft continuity was established to the rear gears of both engines via hand rotation of their attached propellers. Impact damage was noted to the aluminum three-bladed propellers. Leading edge damage and chord-wise abrasion was noted to the propeller blades, and propeller spinners exhibited torsional deformation. Remains of aircraft maintenance logs were found in the wreckage.