# NTSB CHI04LA058: Cessna 310R, N6102X, Port Huron, MI, January 17, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 17, 2004, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Port Huron, MI - Coordinates: 42.911109, -82.528892 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9111&lon=-82.5289&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - DET FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58652 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA058 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58652/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA058 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control as a result of reduced braking performance due to a snow-covered runway. Also causal was the pilot's decision to land with a quartering tailwind. The snowbank was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - icy (contributing factor) - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane contacted a snow berm following a loss of directional control on landing. The pilot stated that while en route she listened to the automated weather observing system (AWOS) at the destination airport. She stated she received the weather along with a notice to airmen (NOTAM) which reported the runway braking [Bowmonk scale] measurements of 33, 35, and 36 MU along with light snow. The pilot stated she was handed off to air traffic control who relayed the same information. She stated that neither the AWOS nor the controller indicated any rapid conditions changes. The pilot stated she flew the ILS approach for runway 04 breaking out of the clouds at 600 feet above ground level. She stated "I don't believe there was ever any traction obtained, aircraft began a slide towards left side of runway." The pilot reported the left main gear contacted a snow berm on the side of the runway. The nose of the airplane swung around and contacted the berm, collapsing the nose gear. The airplane came to rest 20 feet off the left side of the runway approximately 1,000 feet past the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that the owner of the local fixed base operator came out to the runway in his pickup truck to offer assistance. She stated he also experienced no braking and that his truck also slid into the snow berm on the side of the runway. The runway friction was tested at 1002 and the NOTAM was issued at 1015. The Bowmonk readings for runway 04 were 35, 33, and 36. The NOTAM issued contained the remarks 1/2 inch loose snow over patchy ice, compacted snow and ice all surfaces, executive ramp closed. Section 3 Airport Operations, Paragraph 4-3-9 of the Airmen's Information Manual states, "MU (friction) values range from 0 to 100 where zero is the lowest friction value and 100 is the maximum friction value obtainable. For frozen contaminants on runway surfaces, a MU value of 40 or less is the level when the aircraft braking performance starts to deteriorate and directional control begins to be less responsive. The lower the MU value, the less effective braking performance becomes and the more difficult directional control becomes." Winds at the airport were reported as being from 170 degrees at 8 knots. ## Factual narrative On January 17, 2004, at 1105 eastern standard time, a Cessna 310R, N6102X, collided with a snow bank following a loss of directional control while landing on runway 04 (5,103 feet by 100 feet, asphalt) at the St. Clair County Airport (PHN), Port Huron, Michigan. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in instrument meteorological conditions on an instrument flight rules flight plan. The flight originated in Albany, New York, at 0840. The pilot stated that while en route she listened to the automated weather observing system (AWOS) at PHN. She stated she received the weather along with a notice to airmen (NOTAM) which reported the runway braking [Bowmonk scale] measurements of 33, 35, and 36 MU along with light snow. The pilot stated she was handed off to air traffic control at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base (MTC) who relayed the same information. She stated that neither the AWOS nor the controller at MTC indicated any rapid condition changes. The pilot stated she flew the approach to runway 04, breaking out of the clouds at 600 feet above the ground. She stated "I don't believe there was ever any traction obtained, aircraft began a slide towards left side of runway." The pilot reported the left main gear contacted a snow berm on the side of the runway. The nose of the airplane swung around and contacted the berm, collapsing the nose gear. She stated the airplane came to rest 20 feet off the left side of the runway approximately 1,000 feet past the approach end of the runway. The pilot reported that the owner of the local fixed base operator came out to the runway in his pickup truck to offer assistance. She stated he also experienced no braking and that his truck also slid into the snow berm on the side of the runway. The runway friction was tested at 1002 and the NOTAM was issued at 1015. The Bowmonk readings for runway 04 were 35, 33, and 36. The NOTAM issued contained the remarks 1/2 inch loose snow over patchy ice, compacted snow and ice all surfaces, executive ramp closed. Section 3 Airport Operations, Paragraph 4-3-9 of the Airmen's Information Manual states, "MU (friction) values range from 0 to 100 where zero is the lowest friction value and 100 is the maximum friction value obtainable. For frozen contaminants on runway surfaces, a MU value of 40 or less is the level when the aircraft braking performance starts to deteriorate and directional control begins to be less responsive. The lower the MU value, the less effective braking performance becomes and the more difficult directional control becomes." Winds reported at PHN 10 minutes after the accident were from 170 degrees at 8 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6102X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6102X-2013-12-10), registration cancelled 2013-12-10, S/N 310R1269, built 1978 (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: 310R1269 - Airframe hours: 7286 - Engines: Continental IO-520-MB 285 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-520-MB 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Martha J. Higgins - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 20, 2003, 99 hours before - Departed: ALB, Albany, NY - Destination: PHN, Port Huron, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PHN, St. Clair County, runway 04, 5,100 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 30, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 1,237 total, 848 in this make and model, 951 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 0.75 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast - Temperature: 19 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: PHN ## 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 20040117001479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040117001479A), Jan 17, 2004: Cessna 310R, Port Huron, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) On January 17, 2004, aircraft (a/c) N6102X departed albany, NY (alb) direct to Port Huron, MI (phn) at approx. 1340Z on an IFR flight plan. Dr. Higgins… 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.