# NTSB DEN99LA055: Cessna 310L, N2230F, Angel Fire, NM, March 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1999, 12:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Angel Fire, NM - Coordinates: 36.390972, -105.269493 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3910&lon=-105.2695&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 6 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN99LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45919/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN99LA055 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceeding the airplane's weight and balance limitations. A factor was the high density altitude weather condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - fence ## Analysis The pilot had the fuel tanks topped-off, and he embarked five passengers with their baggage. He departed on runway 35, and immediately raised the landing gear after liftoff. He felt the airplane 'settle a little,' and he put the landing gear back down. The airplane impacted a fence during the forced landing attempt. The airport's elevation was 8,382 feet msl, and the density altitude was 9,419 feet msl. The airplane's certified maximum gross takeoff weight was 5,200 pounds, and the calculated actual takeoff weight was estimated at 5,459 pounds. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 1999, approximately 1255 mountain standard time, a Cessna 310L, N2230F, was substantially damaged during a forced landing immediately after takeoff from Angel Fire Airport, Angel Fire, New Mexico. The airline transport rated pilot and his five passengers were not injured. The airplane was being operated by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, but the pilot reported that the planned destination was Denison, Texas. The pilot reported that he had the fuel tanks topped-off, and he embarked five passengers with their baggage. He departed on runway 35, and noted that the midfield windsock was indicating a cross wind (ground personnel documented the wind at 270 degrees at 10 gusting to 20 knots). He reported that the airplane lifted off the runway and he immediately raised the landing gear. The pilot said he felt the airplane "settle a little," and he put the landing gear back down. The airplane touched the ground, and impacted a barb wire fence. The elevation of the airport was 8,382 feet mean sea level (msl), and the density altitude was 9,419 feet msl. The airplane's certified maximum gross takeoff weight was 5,200 pounds, and the calculated actual takeoff weight was estimated at 5,459 pounds (see attached documents). The airplane's manufacturer representative stated that raising or lowing the airplane's landing gear will reduce the climb performance by 100 to 200 feet per minute while the landing gear is cycling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2230F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2230F-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 310L-0030, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310L - Registry model: [Cessna 310L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310l) (registry code 2074230) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310L-0030 - Engines: Continental IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald V. Booth - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AXX - Destination: F39, SHERMAN/DENISON, TX - Airport: AXX, Angel Fire, runway 35, 8,900 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 12,590 total, 48 in this make and model, 3,380 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SKX, 13 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 19990314038499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990314038499A), Mar 14, 1999: Cessna 310L, Angel Fire, NM, Substantial damage. The pilot had the fuel tanks topped-off, and he embarked five passengers with their baggage. He departed on runway 35, and immediately raised the landing gear… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.