# NTSB CHI92FA257: Cessna 310D, N6908T, Crystal, MN, August 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1992, 15:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: Crystal, MN
- Coordinates: 45.060298, -93.339088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0603&lon=-93.3391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 minor; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15309
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92FA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15309/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92FA257

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF/INITIAL CLIMB IN GUSTY, SHIFTING CROSSWIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - residence
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire/explosion, other

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6908T-1993-01-28), registration cancelled 1993-01-28, S/N 39208 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310D
- Registry model: [Cessna 310D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310d) (registry code 2074212) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 39208
- Airframe hours: 49
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920829034019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920829034019A), Aug 29, 1992: Cessna 310D, Minneapolis, MN, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Shifting winds on zig zag takeoff. Pulled up nose high entered departure stall in 90 degree bank. Hit wires and house

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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