# NTSB DEN89LA033: Cessna 310H, N1044Q, Carlsbad, NM, November 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1988, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, NM
- Coordinates: 32.400321, -104.229339 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4003&lon=-104.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA033

## Analysis

ON AN IFR BUSINESS/TRAINING FLT, THE ATP PLT MADE AN UNSCHEDULED FUEL STOP. ON A PRACTICE ILS APCH TO RWY 3, CIRCLING TO LAND RWY 21, THE ACFT YAWED HARD RT AND THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PLT SAID IT SOUNDED AND FELT LIKE THE RT ENGINE HAD LOST POWER. THE PLT SELECTED GEAR UP AND REDUCED THE THROTTLES AND MIXTURE CONTROLS. THE PLT SAID THAT WITH THE GEAR DOWN, FLAPS AT 15 DEG, AND THE RIGHT PROPELLER NOT FEATHERED, THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT CLIMB. HE ELECTED TO LAND BETWEEN RWY 3 AND 8, ON A DIRT AREA. DURING LANDING, THE ACFT TURNED 180 DEG AND SLID 270 FT BEFORE COMING TO REST. A POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE RT FUEL SELECTOR WAS IN THE RT AUXILIARY FUEL TANK POSITION. THE RT ENGINE FUEL LINES CONTAINED A FEW DROPS OF FUEL. BOTH AUX TANKS WERE EMPTY AND NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE DETACHED RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - 1 engine
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - selected, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1044Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310H0044
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A. Mueller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 13, 1988, 4 hours before
- Departed: DTN, SHREVEPORT, LA
- Destination: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CNM, Cavern City, runway 21, 7,854 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,190 total, 120 in this make and model, 1,800 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNM, 1 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 19881114050639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881114050639A), Nov 14, 1988: Cessna 310H, Carlsbad, NM, Substantial damage. Right engine lost power while overflying airport, did not feather. Crash landed. Right selector on aux. Tanks empty

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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