# NTSB ATL03LA069: Cessna 310, N244S, Dyersburg, TN, March 27, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 2003, 10:08 local (16:08 UTC)
- Place: Dyersburg, TN
- Coordinates: 35.998611, -89.406112
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9986&lon=-89.4061&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Memphis FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA069

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. A factor was muddy terrain conditions.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - muddy (contributing factor)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

Upon touchdown, the pilot felt the right main gear unlock. On the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right as the landing gear slowly started to collapse. Efforts by the pilot to remain on the runway failed. The airplane veered off the right side of runway 22 into the mud. The pilot did not report the airplane having any mechanical problems before the flight.  Examination of the airplane revealed the right main gear collapsed.   According to the repair facility, Tennessee Aircraft Services, the airplane was in storage for 10 years.  No maintenance records were recovered.

## Factual narrative

On March 27, 2003 at 1008 central standard time, a Cessna 310, N244S, registered to and operated by a private pilot, right main landing gear collapsed during an attempted landing on runway 22 at Dyersburg Municipal Airport, Dyersburg Tennessee. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained minor damage, and there were no injuries to the pilot or two passengers. The flight originated from Johnson City Airport, Johnson City, Tennessee, at 0900 on March 27, 2003.

The purpose of the personal flight was undetermined.  According to the pilot, upon touchdown he felt the right main gear unlock. On the landing roll, the airplane veered to the right as the landing gear slowly started to collapse. Efforts by the pilot to remain on the runway failed. The plane veered off the right side of runway 22, and into the mud. The pilot stated that it was approximately 175 yards after the touchdown point when the right main landing gear collapsed.

The pilot did not report the airplane having any mechanical problems before and during the flight.  Examination of the airplane revealed the right main gear collapsed.  According to the repair facility, Tennessee Aircraft Services, the airplane was in storage for 10 years, and no maintenance records were available for the airframe repairs.  The pilot also failed to respond to written requests for post-accident information.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N244S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 310
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35153
- Engines: Continental O-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James M. Carter Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 0A4, Johnson City, TN
- Destination: DYR, Dyersburg, TN
- Airport: DYR, Dyersburg Municipal Airport, runway 22, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 50 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20030327009219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030327009219A), Mar 27, 2003: Cessna 310, Dyersburg, TN, Destroyed. (-23) Right main gear folded on landing.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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