# NTSB CEN11LA207: Cessna 310K, N3816X, Angleton, TX, February 27, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 26, 2011, 19:35 local (Feb 27, 2011, 01:35 UTC) - Place: Angleton, TX - Coordinates: 29.155834, -95.449447 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1558&lon=-95.4494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 6, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 78443 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78443/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78443 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA207 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a night instrument approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring equip/instruments](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021525/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR final approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-IFR final approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot requested and was cleared for an area navigation global positioning system instrument approach. Night visual flight conditions prevailed. According to radar data, the pilot intercepted the inbound course and descended to 800 feet above ground level, at which point radar contact was lost. The airplane collided with trees and impacted terrain 2.6 miles from the airport. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot had no recollection of the accident. ## Factual narrative On February 26, 2011, at 1932 central standard time, a Cessna 310K, N3816X, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and impacted terrain 2.6 miles north-northeast of the Angleton/Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport (LBX), Angleton, Texas. Night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident. The business flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot, the sole occupant on board the airplane, was seriously injured. The cross-country flight originated from San Angelo (SJT), Texas, at 1810, and was en route to LBX. In a telephone interview with the pilot's wife, she said her husband had flown to San Angelo to attend a funeral, and was returning to Angleton when the accident occurred. She said he could not recall any details of the accident. According to Lockheed Martin, the pilot telephoned the Fort Worth Contracted Flight Service Station (FCFSS) at 1704 and obtained an abbreviated weather briefing for a direct flight from SJT to LBX. Visual meteorological conditions were forecast along the route. The pilot was given the LBX terminal forecast (FT) that indicated a broken ceiling at 1,500 feet, visibility greater than 6 miles, and the wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots. After 1900, the ceiling was expected to remain broken but to lower to 1,000 feet, and visibility was expected to drop to 4 miles in mist. The pilot then filed an IFR flight plan. The briefing ended at 1713. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) documents indicate the airplane proceeded to LBX, where the pilot requested and was cleared for the RNAV (area navigation) GPS (Global Positioning System) runway 17 instrument approach. Radar data retrieved by NTSB's Operational Factors Division revealed the airplane intercepted the inbound course and the projected 3-degree glideslope and descended 800 feet, at which point radar contact was lost. The wreckage was located in a wooded area about 1 mile east of the inbound course. FAA aviation safety inspectors went to the accident site and examined the airplane. They reported finding no pre-impact failures or discrepancies with the airframe, engines, or systems. They also reported finding no evidence that the airplane struck anything in flight. In the pilot's accident report, he reported no mechanical malfunction or failures with the airplane or its systems. Both engines were later examined. No abnormalities were found with either engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3816X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3816X-2014-11-25), registration cancelled 2014-11-25, S/N 310K0216, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K - Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310K0216 - Airframe hours: 3533 - Engines: Continental IO-470-V 265 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Arthur Hale Consulting/Instruction, LLC - Registered owner: Arthur Hale Consulting/Instruction, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 2010 - Departed: SJT, San Angelo, TX - Destination: LBX, Angleton, TX - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LBX, Brazoria Cty/Tx Gulf Coast Reg, runway 17, 7,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: LBX ## 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 20110226003919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110226003919A), Feb 26, 2011: Cessna 310K, Angleton, TX, Destroyed. On February 26, 2011 at 19:35 local time, the PIC of N3816X a CE-310K was on RNAV (GPS) rwy 17 approach into Angleton/Texas gulf coast regional airport (lbx)… ## Docket (11 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78443. 7.3 MB in all. - Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120 (item 1, .PDF, 642 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351169&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120-Redacted.PDF - Addendum to Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120 (item 2, .PDF, 401 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351170&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Addendum%20to%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120-Redacted.PDF - Witness' Statement (item 3, .PDF, 958 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351077&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%27%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - RNAV (GPS) RWY 17 Instrument Approach Chart (item 4, .PDF, 229 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351090&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=RNAV%20(GPS)%20RWY%2017%20Instrument%20Approach%20Chart-Master.PDF - 3-Dimensional Radar Depiction of N3816X Instrument Approach (item 5, .PDF, 534 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351093&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=3-Dimensional%20Radar%20Depiction%20of%20N3816X%20Instrument%20Approach-Master.PDF - N3816X Flight Path (item 6, .PDF, 148 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351092&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N3816X%20Flight%20Path-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 7, .PDF, 18 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351079&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Transcript of Weather Briefing (item 8, .PDF, 221 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351171&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Transcript%20of%20Weather%20Briefing-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Ground scar and debris trail and N3816X in background (item 9, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351184&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Ground%20scar%20and%20debris%20trail%20and%20N3816X%20in%20background-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Left side of burnt airplane (item 10, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351185&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20side%20of%20burnt%20airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 3 - Right side of airplane (item 11, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40351188&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20Right%20side%20of%20airplane-Master.PDF 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.