# NTSB ERA22LA198: Cessna 310, N7733Q, Selma, AL, April 13, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 13, 2022, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Selma, AL - Coordinates: 32.343947, -86.987806 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3439&lon=-86.9878&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104979 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104979/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104979 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA198 ## Probable cause The failure of maintenance personnel to properly rig the rudder trim system after reinstallation and pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection after recent maintenance, which resulted in an inability to adequately maintain directional control during the flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not inspected (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Maintenance: installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 371 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft maintenance event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 484 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/040/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 310Q, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2074242), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that airplane had been painted and the rudder reinstalled before the accident flight. He stated that immediately after takeoff he noticed that he needed to use significant left rudder to maintain directional control. He executed a precautionary landing on the airport property, landing hard in the grass at a 45° angle to the runway. The fuselage sustained substantial damage and the nose landing gear fractured during the landing. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the rudder trim system was significantly out of rig. The pilot was unable to provide any maintenance records relating to the rudder removal and reinstallation. It is likely that the rudder and/or its trim system was installed incorrectly following the airplane’s repainting, which resulted in the pilot’s difficulty maintaining directional control and inability to make a normal landing on the runway. Although the pilot indicated that he performed the preflight checklist before takeoff, he stated that he may not have checked the control trims that are part of that checklist. It is likely that, had the pilot completed a preflight control check before the flight, he would have identified the improperly rigged rudder trim system. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 2022, about 1415 central daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N7733Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Selma, Alabama. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, he needed to use significant left rudder to maintain directional control. After observing the engine monitors and noting that both engines were producing power, he held full left aileron and rudder input to maintain level flight and instructed the pilot-rated passenger to adjust the throttles to turn the airplane back to the airport for a precautionary landing. They were able to maneuver the airplane to land on the airport property, landing hard in the grass at a 45° angle to the runway. The nose landing gear fractured during landing. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage. The inspector also reported that the accident flight was the first flight after the airplane had been painted, and that the flight controls had been removed for the painting. Numerous placards were missing or obscured by paint, and painter’s tape was still attached in some areas. The rudder trim system was found to be significantly out of rig, and the inspectors were unable to move the rudder trim tab to the neutral position. The pilot was unable to provide any maintenance records relating to the rudder removal and reinstallation or a subsequent weight and balance check/adjustment. Although the pilot indicated that he performed the preflight checklist before takeoff, he stated that he may not have checked the control trims that are part of that checklist. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7733Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7733Q-2023-04-21), registration cancelled 2023-04-21, S/N 310Q0233, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 310 (Q) - Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310Q0233 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 5564.9 - Engines: Continental IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating; Continental IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jupiter Flight Service And Investing LLC - Registered owner: Jupiter Flight Service And Investing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 2020, 112 hours before - Destination: FTY, Atlanta, GA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SEM, Craig Field Airport, runway 33, 8,014 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,312 total, 3,986 as pilot in command, 312 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: right; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 9 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Icing: Unknown - Observed at: SEM - METAR: METAR KSEM 131855Z AUTO 16009G15KT 8SM SCT044 26/18 A2995 RMK AO2= ## 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 20220413008589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220413008589A), Apr 13, 2022: Cessna 310Q, Selma, AL, Substantial damage. After departure, the pilot determined that he had a rudder trim issue and elected to return to the airport. Upon landing, the aircraft hit hard on the runway,… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 19, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104979. 176 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14199649&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA198%206120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statements (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14213826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Witness statements (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14199378&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Witness%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector statements (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14213880&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statements_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Maintenance log excerpts (item 5, PDF, 11 pages, 166 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14196467&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=N7733Q%20Maintenance%20Excerpts_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 6, PDF, 8 pages, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14199639&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 266 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14195680&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA22LA198%20Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.