# NTSB DEN85LA110: Cessna 310N, N5060Q, Abiquiu, NM, April 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1985, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Abiquiu, NM
- Coordinates: 36.199104, -106.309547 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1991&lon=-106.3095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA110

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rotation - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF FROM A ROUGH, UNIMPROVED AIRSTRIP WITH A 3% UPHILL GRADIENT, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND GUSTY CROSSWIND CONDITIONS. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, LIFTED THE AIRPLANE OFF THE GROUND, CLEARED A BOUNDARY FENCE, STALLED, AND CRASHED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5060Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5060Q-2012-12-18), registration cancelled 2012-12-18, S/N 310N-0160, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310N
- Registry model: [Cessna 310N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310n) (registry code 2074234) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310N-0160
- Airframe hours: 28329
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry Jessen & Mike Mccoun
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1984, 38 hours before
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM
- Airport: 50E, Ghost Ranch, runway 32, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,200 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAD, 48 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 19850403013459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850403013459A), Apr 3, 1985: Cessna 310N, Albuquerque, NM, Destroyed. Aircraft became airborne after veering off runway then impacted the ground.

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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