# NTSB CHI98LA327: Cessna 310B, N310X, Breezy Point, MN, August 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 23, 1998, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Breezy Point, MN - Coordinates: 46.600193, -94.320762 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6002&lon=-94.3208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43756/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA327 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare of the airplane, and his not maintaining control of the airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot would not comment on the accident. He was not communicative with investigators. His pilot's certificate had previously been revoked by the Federal Aviation Administration. One witness who heard a loud noise when the airplane landed, first observed it skid off the runway and then saw it spin around. An examination of the airplane after the accident revealed mechanical damage that could be associated with the accident landing. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 1998, at 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 310B, N310X, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 36, at Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight departed Crystal Airport near Minneapolis, Minnesota, exact time unknown. Repeated attempts to communicate with the pilot were futile. The pilot did not return NTSB inquiries, messages or the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, which was mailed to him. It was learned that the pilot's certificate was revoked on August 28, 1995, by order of the Federal Aviation Administration. There is no record of the certificate restoration, a current medical, or biennial flight review. The passenger was not a rated pilot. Subsequent to the accident the pilot refused to communicate with inspectors of the Federal Aviation Administration or local police authorities. At the time of the accident, he did admit to local authorities that he was the pilot after first claiming his son was the pilot (the son was not present at the time of the accident), and later saying that the passenger was the pilot, before admitting that he was flying at the time of the accident. He made no comments on the accident or how it happened. One resident who lives adjacent to the airport stated that she heard the airplane land and that it made a "loud boom" when it touched down. She indicated that she did not see the touchdown; however, when the airplane came into her view she saw it, "... skid off the runway ... do a doughnut and came to a stop." An examination of the airplane after the accident did not reveal any damage or mechanical anomalies other that those attained during the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N310X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N310X-2022-02-15), registration cancelled 2022-02-15, S/N 35637, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310B - Registry model: [Cessna 310B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310b) (registry code 2074208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 35637 - Engines: Continental O-470-M 240 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Corey L. Gerulis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MIC, MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Destination: NONE, BREEZY POINT, MN - Airport: NONE, Breezy Point Airport, runway 36, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; flight hours: 2,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 7 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PWC ## 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 19980823021539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980823021539A), Aug 23, 1998: Cessna 310B, Pequot Lakes, MN, Substantial damage. On August 23, 1998, at 1530 central daylight time, a Cessna 310B, N310X, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing on runway 36, at Pequot Lakes,… 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.