# NTSB CEN24LA242: Cessna 310R, N5080J, Duluth, MN, June 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 27, 2024, 11:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Duluth, MN - Coordinates: 46.84207, -92.193237 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8421&lon=-92.1932&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 194570 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194570/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA242 ## Probable cause The failure of the left engine induction coupling during takeoff, which resulted in a total loss of left engine power and an uncommanded left yaw/roll due to asymmetrical thrust and increased drag, from which the pilot had insufficient altitude to recover control of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine fuel and control: fuel control/carburetor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md?model=2074245), [All aircraft, 195 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057322/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=2074245), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=2074245), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310R, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=2074245), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Cessna 310R, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2074245), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 310R, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2074245), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting a post-maintenance flight after some adjustments were made to the multi-engine airplane’s avionics equipment. The pilot flew an instrument landing system (ILS) approach and made a full-stop landing on the runway. After a brief wait, as instructed by the air traffic controller, the pilot began his next takeoff. Shortly after rotation, the airplane rolled to the left, and the pilot was unable to regain airplane control using aileron and rudder inputs. The airplane settled into the ground in a near-level attitude. During the impact sequence, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the left engine’s rubber accordion coupling in the induction system between the throttle body and the engine was split. There was no impact damage in the area of the engine and this split was not due to the damage during the accident sequence. No other anomaly was discovered that would have prevented normal operation. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was conducted about 7 months before the accident, and the airplane had accumulated about 60 hours since the inspection. Review of maintenance information did not reveal a recommended replacement interval for the coupling. Based on the evidence, the split in the induction coupling allowed a large induction leak that likely resulted in a total loss of engine power on the left engine due to the lean fuel/air mixture that resulted. The loss of power on the left engine resulted in the uncommanded left yaw/roll due to asymmetrical thrust and increased drag, from which the pilot had insufficient altitude to recover control of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 27, 2024, at 1145 central daylight time, a Cessna 310R airplane, N5080J, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Duluth, Minnesota. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the flight was to conduct testing of adjustments made to the airplane’s avionics equipment. He departed the Richard I. Bong Airport (SUW), Superior, Wisconsin, and flew the airplane to Duluth International Airport (DLH), Duluth, Minnesota. He executed the runway 9 ILS approach and stopped on the runway, as instructed by air traffic control. After a brief wait on the runway, he received takeoff clearance to return to SUW. During the takeoff, seconds after rotation, the airplane rolled to the left, and the pilot was unable to regain airplane control using aileron and rudder inputs. The airplane settled into the ground in a near-level attitude north of runway 9. During the impact sequence, the nose landing gear and right main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the airplane after the accident revealed that the rubber accordion coupling in the induction system on the left engine between the engine and fuel control was split. The printed information on the coupling indicated that it was part number 641551 and was manufactured in the second quarter of 2014. Review of maintenance information did not reveal a recommended replacement interval. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records indicated that the left engine was overhauled and installed on the airplane on July 1, 2015. No maintenance entry indicating replacement of the coupling was found. No other anomaly was discovered that would have prevented normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5080J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5080J), registered now, S/N 310R0200, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R - Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310R0200 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 10000 - Engines: Continental IO-520-MB 285 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-520-MB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2023, 60 hours before - Departed: SUW, Superior, WI - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: DLH, Duluth International, runway 9, 10,591 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 20, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 25,000 total, 4,000 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KDLH - METAR: METAR KDLH 271655Z 11006KT 10SM SCT038 SCT120 19/09 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP156 T01890089= ## 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 20240627011349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240627011349A), Jun 27, 2024: Cessna 310R, Duluth, MN, Substantial damage. After conducting a stop and go on the runway the aircraft rolled to the left immediately after rotation. The aircraft returned to a level attitude before… ## Other investigations on N5080J (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 MKC78DA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DA019), Jan 12, 1978: Cessna 310R (N5080J), Muscatine, IA, 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. --- 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.