# NTSB ATL95LA132: Cessna 310, N3083D, Ridgeland, SC, July 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1995, 14:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Ridgeland, SC - Coordinates: 32.480518, -80.979576 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4805&lon=-80.9796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 26, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3592 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3592/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA132 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ALTERNATORS WERE ON WHICH LED TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTEMPT TO LOWER THE LANDING GEAR BY EMERGENCY PROCEDURES. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - electrical system,battery - discharged (cause) - alternator - not used, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Wheels up landing, landing - flare/touchdown - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command - emergency procedure - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command ## Analysis EN ROUTE, THE PILOT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS MODE C ENCODER WAS NOT BEING RECEIVED. THE AIRPLANE SLOWLY BEGAN LOSING ELECTRICAL POWER, WITH EVENTUAL FAILURE OF ALL COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT (INCLUDING A HAND-HELD GPS THAT USES POWER FROM THE AIRCRAFT'S BATTERIES.) THE PILOT CONTINUED THE FLIGHT USING PILOTAGE. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN THE FUEL GAGES WERE INDICATING 10 GALS IN EACH TANK, HE DECIDED TO MAKE AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE GEAR, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AN ATTEMPT TO MANUALLY PUMP THE GEAR DOWN WAS NOT MADE. TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE FORCED THE PILOT TO INITIATE A GEAR UP LANDING ON A SERVICE ROAD ADJACENT TO THE INTERSTATE. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MAINTAINED FULL POWER DURING THE ENTIRE SEQUENCE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE BATTERIES WERE RECHARGED AND REPLACED IN THE AIRCRAFT. BOTH ALTERNATORS AND ALTERNATOR SWITCHES OPERATED NORMALLY. NO EVIDENACE OF CHARGING CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS NOTED. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1995, about 1455 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310, N3083D, collided with the terrain during an intentional gear up landing near Ridgeland, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. There were no injuries to the private pilot nor his commercially rated pilot passenger. The airplane was substantially damaged. Origination of the flight was Titusville, Florida, about 1250 eastern daylight time, on the same day. According to the pilot, the flight was normal until Daytona Beach Approach Control advised him that the mode "C" portion of the transponder was not being received. Approximately 50 minutes into the flight, the pilot realized that he had a failure of all of his communication and navigation equipment,including a hand held GPS that received power from the aircraft's battery. At this time the pilot also noticed that the fuel gauges were indicating a rapid loss of fuel. The aircraft was approaching Savannah International Airport at an altitude of 8,500 feet, when the pilot made the decision to locate an uncontrolled field where he could make a safe landing. The pilot and his passenger then attempted to use pilotage to locate Ridgeland County Airport, in Ridgeland, South Carolina, which should have been a 15 minute flight. The pilot stated that they were unsuccessful in locating the airport, and the fuel gauges continued to indicate an abnormal fuel burn. The pilot elected to land on an interstate highway, and a pre-landing checklist was completed. However, an attempt to lower the landing gear was unsuccessful. The pilot did not attempt to use the emergency extension system. Traffic on the interstate forced the pilot to attempt a gear up landing on an adjacent service road. During the landing sequence, the airplane collided with trees, and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that the engines never lost power. A post crash examination of the aircraft was completed by the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft landing gear was raised and extended without any problem. Both alternators and regulators were secured, and the drive belts were installed. All electrical connections were tight. All circuit breakers were in. The fuel quantity was checked in each tank, except the left tip tank which had been compromised in the landing. Both inboard tanks had fuel to a level four inches below the filler neck. The right tip tank had fuel to a level 11.5 inches below the filler neck. The batteries were recharged and replaced in the aircraft. The damaged propellers were removed,and the engines were run with a test propeller. Both of the alternators and alternator switches operated normally. No evidence of malfunction or failure was noted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3083D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3083D-1998-03-30), registration cancelled 1998-03-30, S/N 35283 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310 - Registry model: [Cessna 310](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310) (registry code 2074202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 35283 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470M 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allen M. Prohaska - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: X21, TITUSVILLE, FL - Destination: BKW, BECKLY, WV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 292 total, 55 in this make and model, 130 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SAV, 25 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 19950712040299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950712040299A), Jul 12, 1995: Cessna 310, Ridgeland, SC, Substantial damage. Reported power loss. Lost electrics. Beleived low on fuel. Landed gear up on road. Engines running. Battery 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. --- 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.