# NTSB CHI90LA048: Cessna 310Q, N117CC, Grand Rapids, MI, December 20, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1989, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Rapids, MI
- Location: 42.8808° N, 85.5228° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GERALD R FORD INTL (GRR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8808&lon=-85.5228&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90LA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA048

## Probable cause

THE UNDETERMINED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE DURING THE INITIAL CLIMBOUT. A FACTOR WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, climb - to cruise
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - engine compartment - fire (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 3.5 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. THE SMOKE WAS THE RESULT OF A FIRE IN THE RIGHT ENGINE NACELLE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE SHUT DOWN AND FEATHERED THE RIGHT ENGINE AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT FOR AN EMERGENCY LANDING. DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE HEAT AND FIRE DAMAGE, INVESTIGATORS WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PILOT HAD NOT SHUT OFF THE FUEL TO THE ENGINE, WHICH INCREASED THE INTENSITY OF THE DAMAGE. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND ALL APPLICABLE AD NOTES HAD BEEN ACCOMPLISHED. THE FORCED LANDING WAS SUCCESSFUL; DESPITE OVERRUNNING THE RUNWAY END, NO DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING LANDING. THE FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN AFTER THE PILOT ESCAPED AND CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL WING DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N117CC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N117CC-1991-07-19), registration cancelled 1991-07-19, S/N 310Q0696 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310Q0696
- Airframe hours: 4600
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grand Rapids Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1989, 30 hours before
- Departed: GRR, GRAND RAPIDS, MI
- Destination: 8D4, SPARTA, MI
- Airport: GRR, Grand Rapids-Kent County, runway 18, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,224 total, 26 in this make and model, 597 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR

## 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 19891220052129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891220052129A), Dec 20, 1989: Cessna 310Q, Grand Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. Right engine fire. Smoke and fire in cabin. Jumped out on landing roll. Origin undetermined. Failed to turnoff fuel

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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