# NTSB DEN89LA109: Cessna 310E, N4127G, Glenwood Spgs, CO, April 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1989, 11:10 local (17:10 UTC)
- Place: Glenwood Spgs, CO
- Coordinates: 39.539028, -107.330024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5390&lon=-107.3300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN89LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN89LA109

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF FINAL APPROACH. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,axle - overload

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PLT/A&P MECHANIC WAS FERRYING AN ACFT TO HIS FBO TO PERFORM AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. DURING FINAL APPROACH TO RWY 32, A 3,300 X 50 FT, ASPHALT RWY, THE PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED STRONG TURBULENCE. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN 200 FT SHORT OF THE RWY, ON A PAVED HIGHWAY. THE ACFT SLID ONTO THE RWY AND MADE A SLOW LEFT TURN, COMING TO REST 300 FEET LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE, WITH COMPLETE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSE. A POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION SHOWED EVIDENCE THAT THE LEFT TIRE TOUCHED DOWN HARD, AND THE LEFT STRUT MADE SCRAPE MARKS WITHIN 5 FT. THE ACFT BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR AND AT THE NEXT TOUCHDOWN, THE LEFT PROPELLER MADE STRIKE MARKS. THE PILOT SAID HE THOUGHT THE ACFT HAD HIT A LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR ON FINAL. HE ALSO SAID HE THOUGHT THE LEFT AXLE BROKE OFF DUE TO FATIGUE. AN FAA AIRWORTHINESS INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE AXLE AND STATED THAT HE DISCOVERED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISTING CRACKS OR FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4127G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4127G-1992-05-13), registration cancelled 1992-05-13, S/N 310M0033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310E
- Registry model: [Cessna 310E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310e) (registry code 2074214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310M0033
- Airframe hours: 7500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: James E. Fuoco
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1988, 7 hours before
- Departed: GJT, GRAND JUNCTION, CO
- Airport: GLW, Glenwood Springs, runway 32, 3,300 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,631 total, 13 in this make and model, 2,538 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 14° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19890417008299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890417008299A), Apr 17, 1989: Cessna 310E, Glenwood Spring, CO, Substantial damage. Landed hard short of runway. Bounced, came back down and broke all three main gears.

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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