# NTSB DEN07CA087: Cessna 310R, N3700G, Hatch, NM, April 27, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2007, 19:00 local (Apr 27, 2007, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Hatch, NM - Coordinates: 32.823055, -107.095001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8231&lon=-107.0950&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 65668 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN07CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65668/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN07CA087 ## Probable cause The pilot's inattentiveness to the fuel flow and fuel selector valve position resulting in fuel starvation. Contributing factors were the pilot's failure to follow proper engine failure procedures, and the pilot's improper in-flight planning and decision making. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - inattentive, pilot in command (cause) - improper use of procedure, pilot in command (contributing factor) - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the flight the left engine lost power. The pilot stated that he did not switch fuel tanks. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing in the desert. During the landing the right wing impacted "high vegetation," resulting in substantial damage. A visual inspection revealed that the auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. An examination of the airplane’s systems revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, twenty minutes into the flight the left engine lost power. The pilot stated that he did not switch fuel tanks. Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center gave the pilot vectors to Hatch Municipal Airport, Hatch, New Mexico. He realized that he would not make it to the airport and elected to perform a forced landing in the desert. During the landing the right wing struck "high vegetation." The right wing spar was crushed aft and the right tip tank separated. After landing the pilot moved the fuel selector valve to the off position; he did not state what the original position was. The FAA stated that the auxiliary fuel tanks were empty. Fuel leaked from the tip of the right wing, and evidence of fuel was confirmed in the left fuel tank, but was not measured. An examination of the remaining airplane systems, conducted by the FAA, reveal no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3700G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3700G-2010-07-30), registration cancelled 2010-07-30, S/N 310R0899, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310R - Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520-M](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-m) (registry code 17233, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310R0899 - Airframe hours: 18434 - Engines: Teledyne Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating; Teledyne Continental IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Operator: Aero Charter and Transport - Registered owner: D&A Investments - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, March 1, 2007 - Departed: LRU, LAS CRUCES, NM - Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: E05, Hatch Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 2,870 total, 12 in this make and model, 2,678 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: KLRU ## 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 20070426005949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070426005949A), Apr 26, 2007: Cessna 310R, Hatch, NM, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 26, 2007 at 19:15 mdst, a Cessna 310R, N3700G operated by aero charter and transport (N3BA) lost power on one engine and made an off-airport… ## Other investigations on N3700G (1) 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 CHI98LA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA113), Mar 26, 1998: Cessna 310R (N3700G), Sioux Falls, SD, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to extend the landing gear for landing. Factors associated with the accident were: the crosswind, and the pilot not following his normal habit pattern of lowering the landing gear… 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.