# NTSB ATL87FA064: Cessna 310P, N5814M, Memphis, TN, January 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 24, 1987, 14:36 local (20:36 UTC)
- Place: Memphis, TN
- Coordinates: 35.029819, -90.010398 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0298&lon=-90.0104&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7278
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA064
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7278/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA064

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED AN ENGINE PROBLEM INSIDE THE OUTER MARKER TO RUNWAY 31. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT FORCES, AND A POST CRASH FIRE. A WITNESS LOCATED AT THE ARPT SAW THE ACFT FALLING FROM THE BOTTOM OF A CLOUD IN WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5814M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5814M-2014-10-29), registration cancelled 2014-10-29, S/N 310P0114, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310P
- Registry model: [Cessna 310P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310p) (registry code 2074238) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0114
- Airframe hours: 3031
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-UO 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Young Enterprises, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: LFT, LAFAYETTE, LA
- Destination: MEM, MEMPHIS, TN
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: MEM, Memphis Int'L, runway 36L, 9,300 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 385 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MEM, 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 19870124000949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870124000949A), Jan 24, 1987: Cessna 310P, Memphis, TN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft impacted the ground short of the ruwnay. Pilot reported engine problems. Neither engine on at impact.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
