# NTSB FTW84FA045: Cessna 310L, N3256X, Bartlesville, OK, November 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 7, 1983, 19:00 local (Nov 8, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Bartlesville, OK
- Location: 36.8067° N, 96.0084° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BARTLESVILLE MUNI (BVO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8067&lon=-96.0084&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21078
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21078/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED AT 300-500 FT ON A DOWNWIND LEG OVER THE BRIGHTLY LIGHTED CITY. AFTER PASSING THE CITY THE ACFT ENTERED A VERY DARK & HILLY AREA IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF THE CITY. HE THEN MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO BASE LEG & REMAINED OVER UNLIGHTED & HILLY TERRAIN. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PLT CONTACTED THE TOWER & STATED HE WAS TURNING FROM BASE TO FINAL. ABOUT 20 SECS LATER THE TOWER OPERATOR OBSERVED A BRIGHT ORANGE FLASH ABOUT 3 MI NORTH OF THE ARPT & EAST OF AN EXTENDEDCENTERLINE OF RWY 17.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3256X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3256X-2013-10-18), registration cancelled 2013-10-18, S/N 310L-0106, built 1967 (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-0106
- Airframe hours: 3661
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-V09A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jesse N. Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FTW, FT. WORTH, TX
- Airport: BVO, Frank Phillips, runway 17

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,230 total, 300 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BVO, 3 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 19831107074279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831107074279A), Nov 7, 1983: Cessna 310L, Bartlesville, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft collided with terrain that was higher elevation than airport during turn from base to final approach.

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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