# NTSB DEN87FA231: Cessna 310J, N3037L, Delta, UT, September 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1987, 13:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Delta, UT
- Coordinates: 39.289802, -112.560539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2898&lon=-112.5605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17130
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17130/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA231

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Complete gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - open field
  - terrain condition - crop (contributing factor)
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

PLT STATED AFTER THE ACC THAT HE WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ON THE CESSNA 310. THE MAIN FUEL TANKS ARE ON THE WING TIPS AND THE AUX TANKS ARE IN THE WINGS. THE PLT THOUGHT THE OPPOSITE. THE PLT DEPARTED AND WAS BURNING FUEL FROM THE MAIN TANKS WHEN THE ENGS QUIT AT 13,000 FT. HE SWITCHED TO THE AUX TANKS AND DID NOT GET A RESTART AFTER 10 SECS. THE PLT SWITCHED BACK TO THE MAIN TANKS AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGS. AN EMERG LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD. EXAM OF ACFT REVEALED THE MAIN TANKS WERE EMPTY AND THE AUX TANKS WERE NEARLY FULL. ACCORDING TO ENGINEERS AT THE CESSNA ACFT CO, THE AVG TIME NEEDED FOR FUEL TO FLOW TO THE ENG AFT THE SELECTOR VALVE HAS BEEN MOVED FM ONE FUEL TANK POSITION TO ANOTHER IS APPROX 15 SECONDS. THE PLT WAS AWARE THAT NONE OF THE FUEL GAGES WERE WORKING ON THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3037L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3037L-2013-07-15), registration cancelled 2013-07-15, S/N 310J0037, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310J
- Registry model: [Cessna 310J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310j) (registry code 2074226) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31050037
- Airframe hours: 3074
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-U 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dave Howard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1987, 34 hours before
- Departed: PVO, PROVO, UT
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 333 total, 10 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °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 19870907058939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870907058939A), Sep 7, 1987: Cessna 310J, Delta, UT, Substantial damage. Ran both main tanks dry. Tried to operate aux tanks on crossfeed to mains. Crash landed. Lacked knowledge of system

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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