# NTSB ATL84FA169: Cessna 310R, N5253J, Clarkson, KY, May 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 10, 1984, 23:05 local (May 11, 1984, 04:05 UTC)
- Place: Clarkson, KY
- Coordinates: 37.489303, -86.219718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4893&lon=-86.2197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84FA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84FA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight control,stabilator surface - overload (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED AFTER AN IN-FLT SEPARATION OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF THE AIRFRAME. POST ACCIDENT EVIDENCE PROVIDED BY THE FAILED PARTS GAVE A GRAPHIC PICTURE OF THE IN-FLT SEQ WHICH WAS SUPPLEMENTED BY A WITNESS WHO SAW & HEARD THE ACFT IN ITS FINAL DIVE. ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY THE IN-FLT SEPARATION AND GROUND IMPACT DAMAGE. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED OVERAN AREA APRX 2 MILES LONG AND 500 FT WIDE, IN A PASTURE. THE WRECKAGE PATH FOLLOWED A CIRCULAR PATH FROM ABOUT 220 DEG TO 090 DEG MAGNETIC. THE PATH WAS DIVIDED INTO 2 MAJOR SECTIONS. ONE CONSISTED OF PAPERS, ACFT INSULATION AND OTHER LOOSE MATERIAL. THIS REGION EXTENDED NE APRX 1 AND 1/2 MILES OVER WOODLAND AND OPEN PASTURE. THE OTHER SECTION CONTAINEDHEAVIER STRUCTURAL PARTS OF THE ACFT, STARTING WITH THE ENG COWLING AND ENDING WITH THE ENG ASSEMBLY AND PROPS. IN BETWEEN, WERE THE TAIL ASSEMBLY, THE CABIN TOP, COCKPIT AND WINGS. THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE THROWN OUT NEAR THE END OF THEPATH IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION. NO MECHANICAL OR PHYSICAL REASONS FOR CAUSE WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5253J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5253J-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 310R0814 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 814
- Airframe hours: 4615
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Jet Courier Services, doing business as Jet Courier Services,Inc.
- Registered owner: National Leasing Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1984, 27 hours before
- Departed: SDF, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: BNA, NASHVILLE, TN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,265 total, 5 in this make and model, 72 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG, 32 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 19840510024729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840510024729A), May 10, 1984: Cessna 310R, Clarkson, KY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness heard engine sputter, saw aircraft in steep descent. Inflight airframe failure. Cause undetermined.

## Other investigations on N5253J (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL82DKW06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DKW06), Mar 11, 1982: Cessna 310 (N5253J), Nashville, TN, substantial damage

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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