# NTSB DEN82DA201: Cessna 31, N310CT, Sterling, CO, September 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1982, 10:13 local (16:13 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, CO
- Coordinates: 40.619583, -103.18991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6196&lon=-103.1899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA201

## Analysis

PILOT CAME IN HIGH AND MADE A HARD, BOUNCING LANDING AFTER WHICH CONTROL WAS REGAINED AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS TAXIED TO RAMP. EXAMINATION REVEALED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE NOSE, WINGS, AND FUSELAGE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - flare - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N310CT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N310CT), registered now, S/N 310R0570, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 31
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31000433
- Airframe hours: 2824
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Ron Gillen
- Registered owner: Ron Gillen
- Departed: C, GARDEN CITY, KS
- Destination: C, STERLING, CO
- Airport: STK, Crosson Field, runway 15, 4,400 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,080 total, 289 in this make and model, 186 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °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 19820909068909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820909068909A), Sep 9, 1982: Cessna 310Q, Sterling, CO, Substantial damage. Pilot made hard landing causing substantial damage to aircraft.

## Other investigations on N310CT (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 CHI80FEE53](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI80FEE53), Sep 30, 1980: Cessna 310Q (N310CT), West Chicago, IL, 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.

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