# NTSB ATL98LA075: Cessna 310Q, N310DR, Lafayette, GA, May 8, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1998, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Lafayette, GA - Coordinates: 34.700569, -85.280181 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7006&lon=-85.2802&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3993 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3993/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA075 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare during landing. Factors were the pilot's lack of familiarity with the airplane and the crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,tire - overload - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis According to the pilot, he had flown several approaches to runway 2 and floated during the flares. On this landing, he did not extend the flaps, and flew the landing approach about five knots slower. Just before touchdown, with a good descent rate, he rotated with no change in the airplane's performance. The airplane landed hard, and the left main tire ruptured. The airplane veered off the runway, then veered further left, eventually colliding with a ditch. The airline transport rated pilot passenger stated to the pilot that it felt as if the airplane sank abruptly, and may have encountered a wind shift. The pilot also stated that this aircraft was a later model than he had previously flown, so he had only one hour total flight time in it. He believes, in retrospect, he should have received flight instruction before attempting to fly the airplane. The wind was from 290 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1998, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N310DR, landed hard at the Barwick La Fayette Airport, La Fayette, Georgia. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The commercial pilot, a pilot rated passenger, and a second passenger were not injured. There was substantial damage to the airplane. The flight originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, he had flown several approaches to runway 02 and floated during the flares. On this landing, he did not extend the flaps, and flew the landing approach about five knots slower. Just before touchdown, with a good descent rate, he rotated with no change in the airplane's performance. The airplane landed hard, and the left main tire ruptured. The airplane veered off the runway, then veered further left, eventually colliding with a ditch. The airline transport rated pilot passenger stated to the pilot that it felt as if the airplane sank abruptly, and may have encountered a wind shift. The pilot also stated that this aircraft was a later model than he had previously flown, so he had only one hour total flight time in it. He believes, in retrospect, he should have received flight instruction before attempting to fly the airplane. The wind was from 290 degrees at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N310DR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N310DR-1999-01-28), registration cancelled 1999-01-28, S/N 310Q0104 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310Q - Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 00104 - Airframe hours: 4497 - Engines: Continental IO-520-E2B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ronald Westbrook - Registered owner: David H. Riggs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1997, 116 hours before - Departed: CHA, CHATTANOOGA, TN - Airport: 9A5, Barwick Lafayette, runway 2, 4,250 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,380 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,210 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CHA, 20 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 19980508021359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980508021359A), May 8, 1998: Cessna 310Q, Lafayette, GA, Substantial damage. Hard landing blew left main tire. Veered off runway into a ditch. Blamed high sink rate on final. (.4)according to the pilot, he had flown several approaches… 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.