# NTSB FTW78FA065: Cessna 310B, N5403A, Cameron, LA, July 20, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: July 20, 1978
- Place: Cameron, LA · CAMERON, LA
- Location: 29.7952° N, 93.2916° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cameron, LA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7952&lon=-93.2916&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 19, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 140826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW78FA065
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW78FA065

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2662  78/7/20  NR.CAMERON,LA         CESSNA 310B         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 41, UNK/NR
        TIME - 1500                    N5403A              PX-  2  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BROWNSVILLE,TX              NEW ORLEANS,LA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - TURBULENCE, ASSOCIATED W/CLOUDS AND/OR THUNDERSTORMS
           WEATHER - THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          BROKEN                                                    3500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      88
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          180                                                       15
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 8/13/78.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5403A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5403A-2012-08-21), registration cancelled 2012-08-21, S/N 35603, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310B
- Registry model: [Cessna 310B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310b) (registry code 2074208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780720031499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780720031499A), Jul 20, 1978: Cessna T310R, Cameron, LA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Recovery date 8/13/78.

## Other investigations on N5403A (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX77FUD06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUD06), May 30, 1977: Cessna 310 (N5403A), Compton, CA, substantial damage

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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