# NTSB FTW83FA117: Cessna 310K, N6916L, Andrews, TX, February 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1983, 22:10 local (Feb 15, 1983, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: Andrews, TX
- Coordinates: 32.320983, -102.539581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3210&lon=-102.5396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA117

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - touch-and-go - initiated, pilot in command
  - elevator trim - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR A FLT TO MILAND, TX. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AFTER TAKING OFF, HE MADE 2 OR 3 TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. DURING TAKEOFF FROM THE LAST TOUCH-AND-GO, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT PULL UP ABRUPTLY, ENTER A STEEP RIGHT BANK, THEN CRASH & BURN. AN EXAM OF THE CRASH SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. BOTH PROP BLADES HAD EVIDENCE OF HIGH ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. THE ELEVATOR TRIM TAB WAS FOUND DEFECTED 15 DEG DOWNWARD (NOSE UP TRIM). THE ELEVATOR TRIM ACTUATOR WAS FOUND EXTENDED 1.1 INCHES. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6916L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6916L-1985-12-23), registration cancelled 1985-12-23, S/N 310K0016 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K
- Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310K0016
- Airframe hours: 1814
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Wright
- Registered owner: Charles Clevenger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1982, 10 hours before
- Destination: MAF, MIDLAND, TX
- Airport: E11, Andrews County, runway 33, 5,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 345 total, 40 in this make and model, 290 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 20 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF

## 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 19830214003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830214003829A), Feb 14, 1983: Cessna 310K, Andrews, TX, Destroyed. Stalled on climbout from a touch and go. Factors include nose down trim, a wind shift, nighttime and limited skill.

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.