# NTSB CHI98LA173: Cessna 310R, N5247J, Augusta, KS, May 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 24, 1998, 03:15 local (08:15 UTC) - Place: Augusta, KS - Coordinates: 37.690185, -96.970245 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6902&lon=-96.9702&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 4 serious - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10890/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA173 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the current local weather conditions and his failure to maintain a climb after takeoff. Factors related to the accident were the fog, the powerlines, and spatial disorientation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff he became disoriented in the fog. The airplane contacted powelines southwest of the departure end of the airport. The powerlines were slightly below the airstrip field elevation. The airplane then traveled approximately 3/4 of a mile prior to impacting the terrain. It then continued to travel approximately 900 feet prior to contacting trees, coming to rest, and being destroyed by fire. The pilot received a weather briefing just prior to the takeoff. He was not issued, nor did he request current local conditions. ## Factual narrative On May 24, 1998, at 0315 central daylight time, a Cessna 310R, N5247J, operated by a commercial pilot collided with powerlines followed by the terrain during an initial takeoff climb from the Augusta Municipal Airport, Augusta, Kansas. The pilot and three passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions and an IFR flight plan had been filed. The flight had originated just prior to the accident. Purpose of the flight was to travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, to attend the Indianapolis 500 Race. The pilot contacted the Wichita Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) on the evening prior to the flight to file an IFR flight plan. Just prior to the flight, the pilot once again contacted the Wichita AFSS to obtain a weather briefing. The pilot was issued the en route weather and the forecast for his destination. The pilot was not issued nor did he request any weather information for his departure area. The NTSB Form 6120.1/2 which was completed for the pilot by the co-owner of the accident airplane stated the pilot's memory of the accident was still "fuzzy." The form continued to stated "Takeoff to the South was normal. Shortly after take off, apparently some ground fog was encountered. All he remembers after that is hitting some power lines, landing flat in field, and then slid across field into some trees (approx 1 mile south of end of runway and 1/4 west)." The pilot did state to an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita, Kansas, Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that he became disoriented in the fog shortly after takeoff. Inspection of the accident site and wreckage by the FSDO Inspector revealed the airplane contacted powerlines located south-southwest of the departure end of runway 18. The airplane then traveled approximately 3/4 of a mile where it impacted the terrain in an open field. The airplane continued to travel approximately 900 feet prior to contacting trees, coming to rest, and being destroyed by fire. The height of the powerlines which were contacted was slightly below the airstrip field elevation. The 0254 cdt weather observation at the Jabara Airport located 9 miles northwest of the accident site reported the visibility as 1/2 mile with fog, and a vertical visibility of 100 feet, with a temperature and dewpoint of 13 degrees Celsius. The 0255 cdt weather observation at the McConnell AFB located 11 miles southwest of the accident site reported the visibility as 7 miles, a few clouds at 25,000 feet, with a temperature and dewpoint of 17 degrees and 16 degrees Celsius respectively. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5247J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5247J-2000-03-04), registration cancelled 2000-03-04, S/N 310R0812 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310R - Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310R0812 - Airframe hours: 4650 - Engines: Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert H. Souders - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 1998, 27 hours before - Departed: 3AU - Destination: IND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: 3AU, Augusta Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 425 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright - Wind: 70° at 4 knots - Visibility: 0.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: 3KM, 9 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 19980524010689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980524010689A), May 24, 1998: Cessna 310R, Augusta, KS, Substantial damage. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff he became disoriented in the fog. The airplane contacted powerlines southwest of the departure end of the… 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.