# NTSB CHI98LA112: Cessna 310J, N3020L, Hutchinson, KS, March 31, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1998, 14:44 local (20:44 UTC) - Place: Hutchinson, KS - Coordinates: 38.059139, -97.910774 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0591&lon=-97.9108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10842 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA112 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10842/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA112 ## Probable cause the flight instructor's inadequate supervision by failing to ensure that the right throttle had been retarded before re-advancing the right mixture control, which resulted in a loss of directional control, an encounter with soft terrain, and damage to the nose gear. A related factor was that the student improperly performed the aborted takeoff procedure by failing to retard both throttles. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - engine shutdown - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) - emergency procedure - improper, dual student (contributing factor) - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - throttle/power control - not verified, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - directional control - not maintained (cause) - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis A flight instructor (CFI) and dual student were practicing an aborted takeoff following a simulated loss of power in the right engine. The student had been briefed regarding the procedure, and he was told that the right engine would be the one with the simulated power loss. The CFI reported that during takeoff at 50 mph, he simulated loss of power in the right engine by reducing the mixture for that engine. The CFI said that the student 'appeared to initiate the correct aborted takeoff procedure by retarding the throttles to idle....' After completing the simulated loss of power and aborted takeoff, the CFI re-advanced the right mixture control. He said the right engine 'caught' (surged with power), and the airplane then veered off the left side of the runway and into soft grass, where the nose gear collapsed. The CFI discovered after the accident that the student had not retarded the right throttle during the aborted takeoff. ## Factual narrative On March 31, 1998, at 1444 central standard time, a Cessna 310J, N3020L, received substantial damage following a loss of directional control during a planned aborted takeoff on runway 31 (7,001'x100') at the Hutchinson Municipal Airport, Hutchinson, Kansas. The instructional flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91. Neither the certified flight instructor (CFI) or the airline transport rated pilot (student) were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The CFI reported that they had planned to practice an aborted takeoff following a simulated failure of the right engine. He reported that the student was briefed on the procedure and was told which engine would be "failed." The CFI reported that the student initiated the takeoff, and at an airspeed of approximately 50 mph, the CFI pulled back the mixture on the right engine to simulate the engine failure. He continued to report, "[the student] appeared to initiate the correct aborted takeoff procedure by retarding the throttles to idle...." The CFI reported that when he saw the airplane tracking correctly he advanced the mixture for the right engine at which time the right engine "caught" veering the airplane off the left side of the runway. The CFI reported that he was unaware that the student had not reduced the throttle setting for the right engine during the aborted takeoff procedure. The airplane traveled into a soft grass area where the nose gear collapsed, damaging the firewall, and the airplane slid to a stop. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3020L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3020L-2017-03-10), registration cancelled 2017-03-10, S/N 310J0020, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310J - Registry model: [Cessna 310J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310j) (registry code 2074226) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310J-0020 - Engines: Continental IO-470 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Clifton D. Lane - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: HUT - Destination: HUT - Airport: HUT, Hutchinson Municipal, runway 31, 7,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,885 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,436 as pilot in command, 133 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 12 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: HUT ## 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 19980331012389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980331012389A), Mar 31, 1998: Cessna 310J, Hutchinson, KS, Substantial damage. On March 31, 1998, at 1444 central standard time, a Cessna 310J, N3020L, received substantial damage following a loss of directional control during a planned… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.