# NTSB DEN00LA116: Cessna 310C, N1779H, Erie, CO, June 24, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 2000, 21:30 local (Jun 24, 2000, 03:30 UTC) - Place: Erie, CO - Coordinates: 40.01905, -105.039207 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0191&lon=-105.0392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49498 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN00LA116 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49498/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN00LA116 ## Probable cause A sudden and unexpected encounter with a downdraft while on final approach. A factor was the transmission wire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - downdraft (cause) - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll - flight to new destination - intentional, pilot in command - directional control - not possible ## Analysis The pilot realized shortly after taking off that he had left behind his wallet containing his pilot credentials. He turned around and made a southerly approach to his private airstrip. During the approach, he encountered 'a sudden wind change or down draft.' The nose landing gear clipped an electrical line. He abandoned the approach, then made low passes over two airports. At both airports, ground personnel confirmed the nose landing gear was twisted 90 degrees to the left, and was pushed back and dangling. The pilot then proceeded to the northeast where he circled for about 1 hour to burn off fuel. He returned to the second airport and landed. When the nose landing gear contacted the runway, it pulled the airplane to the left, and it came to a halt in the grass next to the runway. ## Factual narrative On June 23, 2000, approximately 2130 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310C, N1779H, registered to and operated by Front Range Machinery and Supply, Inc., was substantially damaged when it collided with an electrical cable near Erie, Colorado. Additional damage was incurred when the airplane impacted terrain during an emergency landing at Jefferson County Airport, Broomfield, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the business flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane departed a private airstrip near Erie approximately 2115. According to the pilot's accident report, he realized shortly after taking off that he had left behind his wallet containing his pilot credentials. He turned around and made a southerly approach to his airstrip. During the approach, he encountered "a sudden wind change or down draft." The nose landing gear clipped an electrical line. He abandoned the approach, then made low passes over Tri-County Airport in Erie and Jeffco Airport in Broomfield. Tri-County Airport employees and Jeffco tower controllers both confirmed the nose landing gear was twisted 90 degrees to the left, and was pushed back and dangling. The pilot proceeded to the northeast where he circled for about 1 hour to burn off fuel. He then returned to Jeffco Airport and landed on runway 11L approximately 2230. When the nose landing gear contacted the runway, it pulled the airplane to the left and it came to a halt in the grass next to the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1779H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1779H-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N 35879, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310C - Registry model: [Cessna 310C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310c) (registry code 2074210) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 35879 - Airframe hours: 5642 - Engines: Continental IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Front Range Machinery & Supply - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 6, 1999, 6 hours before - Departed: NONE, ERIE, CO - Destination: PNA, PINEDALE, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,387 total, 1,313 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F ## 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 20000623005859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000623005859A), Jun 23, 2000: Cessna 310C, Denver, CO, No damage. (-23) The investigation revealed that Mr. D. Horst, due to a lack of attention, struck a power line while attempting to land his aircraft at a private… ## Other investigations on N1779H (2) 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. - [NTSB UNK65X1028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X1028), Dec 16, 1964: Cessna 310C (N1779H), Bedford, PA, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK65X0461](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0461), Oct 28, 1964: Cessna 310C (N1779H), Phillipsburg, PA, substantial damage 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.