# NTSB CHI88FA008: Cessna 310, N57DS, Brownton, MN, October 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1987, 01:30 local (06:30 UTC)
- Place: Brownton, MN
- Coordinates: 44.73027, -94.350746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7303&lon=-94.3507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA008

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT CRASHED IN OPEN FARM FIELD DURING NIGHT DARK CONDITIONS WITNESS HEARD LOUD ROAR OF ENGS THEN A HARD DULL THUD AND THEN SILENCE. ANGLE OF IMPACT WAS NEAR VERTICAL. ENGS WERE BURIED 8FT AND DIST OF WRECKAGE WAS CONFINED TO WITHIN THE DIMENSIONS OF ACFT. PLT GIVEN PIREP ON FLT TO OGALLALA ADVISING OF TURB AND RIME ICE. NO RADIO CONTACT OR WEATHER UPDATE REQUEST ON FLT BACK TO CRYSTAL CITY. THE WX AT THE ACC SITE WAS UNKNOWN EXCEPT FOR A RESIDENT NEAR THE SITE WHO SAID IT WAS COLD BUT NOT RAINING WHEN SHE HEARD THE SOUND OF THE ACFT AND THE THUD OF WHAT SHE BELIEVED WAS THE ACFT CRASHING. THE FSS AT REDWOOD FALLS, MN, ABOUT 36 NM FROM THE ACC SITE, REPORTED AT 0100 CDT OBS 1000 FT SCATTERED, 1500 FT OVERCAST AND 12 MILES VISIBILITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57DS-2013-04-23), registration cancelled 2013-04-23, S/N 35496, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310
- Registry model: [Cessna 310](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310) (registry code 2074202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35496
- Airframe hours: 4327
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470M 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert R. Kartes, doing business as Aaa Co-Op
- Registered owner: Aaa Coop
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1987, 83 hours before
- Departed: OGA, OGALLALA, NE
- Destination: MIC, CRYSTAL CITY, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 539 total, 79 in this make and model, 357 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RWF, 38 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 19871020062779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871020062779A), Oct 20, 1987: Cessna 310, Brownton, MN, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Indicates pilot continued flight into IMC lost control. Vertical impact ended the flight. Rain snow showers in area

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.

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