# NTSB ATL82DKJ09: Cessna 310L, N424VW, Auburn, AL, January 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 11, 1982, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, AL
- Coordinates: 32.589912, -85.479118 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5899&lon=-85.4791&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DKJ09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DKJ09

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - undetermined (cause)
  - gear extension - not possible, pilot in command
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOKOFF FROM NORTH HUNTSVILLE ON A RUNWAY THAT WAS WET FROM MELTED SNOW.  AFTER TAKEOFF, THE GEAR WOULD NOT RETRACT, SO HE RETURNED AND LANDED.  A MECHANIC FOUND ICE ON THE ANTI-RETRACTION SWITCH ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR.  A GROUND HEATER WAS USED TO MELT THE ICE AND THE SWITCH WAS CLEANED. ANOTHER TAKEOFF WAS MADE AND THE GEAR RETRACTED NORMALLY.  DURING ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION, THE NOSE GEAR WOULD EXTEND ONLY ABOUT HALF-WAY. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO EXTEND AND LOCK THE NOSE GEAR WITH EITHER NORMAL OR EMERGENCY SYSTEMS.  HE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE MAIN GEAR WITH THE PROPELLERS FEATHERED.  DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO THE PROPELLERS AND THE NOSE SECTION. AN INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE TUBE ASSEMBLY, PN 0840125-4, WAS BOWED AND BROKEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N424VW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N424VW-2017-07-07), registration cancelled 2017-07-07, S/N 310L-0141, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310L
- Registry model: [Cessna 310L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310l) (registry code 2074230) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310-0141
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Victor W. Ruwe
- Registered owner: Victor W. Ruwe
- Departed: HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Destination: AUBURN, AL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: AVO, Auburn/Opelika, runway 18, 3,945 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,107 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,975 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F

## 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 19820111002389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820111002389A), Jan 11, 1982: Cessna 310L, Auburn, AL, Substantial damage. Unable to extend nose gear. Landed nose gear up. Tube assembly PN08401254 was bowed and broken. Prior gear problem.

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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