- Date
- August 29, 1992, 15:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place
- Crystal, MN
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 2 minor; on the ground: 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N6908TCessna 310D
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 21, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920829034019A
- Case key
- 15309
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff/initial climb in gusty, shifting crosswind conditions.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
Witnesses stated as the airplane began its takeoff roll on runway 23, the gusty winds shifted to a direct right crosswind. They reported the airplane remained on the runway longer than usual, and the nose 'wobbled' back and forth as it 'skipped from main (landing gear) to main.' One witness stated 'the aircraft was pulled off right at the end of the runway and immediately banked to the left.' The aircraft continued in a nose high, steep ('knife-edge') left bank, then descended into trees and a residential community. Post-impact fire ensued. The multi-engine rated, private pilot's logbook indicated 347 hours total flight time, including 253 hours in the accident make and model aircraft. Post-accident investigation revealed no evidence of pre-impact mechanical anomaly. Witnesses reported 'squirrely' winds and 'squall line' type thunderstorms in the area at the time of the accident.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N6908T
- Reported as
- Cessna 310D
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 39208
- Airframe hours
- 49
- Engine
- Continental IO-470D, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Barron, Hawkes, & Eckmann
- Registered owner
- N.A.P.A.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · June 5, 1992 · 50 hours before
- Departed
- MIC
- Destination
- CJJ · Cresco, IA
- Flight plan
- IFR
- Airport
- MIC · Minneapolis-Crystal, runway 23, 2,500 × 75 ft
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 39
- Certificate
- Private
- 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
- 347 total · 253 in this make and model · 291 as pilot in command · 20 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility
- 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 2,700 ft broken
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MIC, 1 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.