# NTSB CHI89FA035: Cessna 310R, N5121J, Madison, IN, December 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1988, 06:34 local (11:34 UTC)
- Place: Madison, IN
- Coordinates: 38.74942, -85.379425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7494&lon=-85.3794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14239
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89FA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14239/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89FA035

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DISREGARD OF IFR PROCEDURES IN DESCENDING BELOW THE MINIMUM DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE APPROACH TO A POINT WHERE COLLISION WITH TOWERS AND/OR WIRES BECAME POSSIBLE. HIS ABRUPT MANEUVER TO AVOID SUCH COLLISION RESULTED IN A STALL/SPIN, FROM WHICH HE WAS UNABLE TO EFFECT A RECOVERY PRIOR TO IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, circling (ifr)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - electrical tower (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A VOR/DME APPROACH THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED BELOW THE DECISION HEIGHT ON A CIRCLING APPROACH. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH HIGH TENSION TOWERS AND/OR WIRES, THE PILOT INITIATED AN ABRUPT PULL-UP, FOLLOWED BY A STALL/SPIN INTO THE TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE PILOT AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5121J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5121J-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 310R0241, 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: 310R0241
- Airframe hours: 3838
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-N 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Hfg, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hfg, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 19, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: MSP, ST. PAUL, MN
- Destination: IMS, MADISON, IN
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,914 total, 220 in this make and model, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SDF, 36 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 19881224056159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881224056159A), Dec 24, 1988: Cessna 310R, Madison, IN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Indicates pilot flew into ground while circling low to land after night VOR approach. Failed to monitor altitude.

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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