# NTSB ATL87FA047: Cessna 310N, N4137Q, Savannah, GA, December 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 23, 1986, 18:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Savannah, GA
- Location: 32.1276° N, 81.2021° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SAVANNAH/HILTON HEAD INTL (SAV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1276&lon=-81.2021&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA047

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING ILS RWY 9 APPRAOCH ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AT ONE MILE SHORT OF RWY. ACFT IMPACTED IN LEVEL ATTITUDE WITH LANDING GEAR EXTENDED ON A NORTHERLY HEADING ONE HALF MILE SHORT AND ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE LEFT OF RWY CENTERLINE. PLT AND CFI BOTH STATED THE ACFT WAS TURNED RIGHT TO FLY CENTERLINE. PLT BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED DURING APPROACH AND ALLOWED ACFT TO TURN NEARLY 90 DEGREES OFF COURSE AND DESCEND BELOW DECISION HEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4137Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4137Q-2012-11-19), registration cancelled 2012-11-19, S/N 310N-0037, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310N
- Registry model: [Cessna 310N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310n) (registry code 2074234) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310N-0037
- Airframe hours: 4100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy J. Madden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 30, 1985
- Departed: TPF, TAMPA, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SAV, Savannah International, runway 9, 9,003 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; seat: left; flight hours: 2,800 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAV, 1 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 19861223068589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861223068589A), Dec 23, 1986: Cessna 310N, Savannah, GA, Substantial damage. The plane descended below dh and hit trees. Both pilots without license and instructor denied being in command.

## Other investigations on N4137Q (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 MIA78FLA25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78FLA25), Mar 30, 1978: Cessna 310N (N4137Q), Jacksonville, FL, 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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