# NTSB FTW85FA224: Cessna 310F, N5838X, Marfa, TX, May 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1985, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Marfa, TX
- Coordinates: 30.309827, -104.019622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3098&lon=-104.0196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - mixture control - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL PWR LOSS FROM THE RIGHT ENG DURING THE TAKEOFF CLIMB AND IN HIS HASTE TO CIRCLE BACK AND LAND DID NOT ALLOW THE ACFT TO GAIN ALT. HE THEN FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND AS A RESULT, LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT AND STALLED WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALT TO AFFECT RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED SEVERAL DISCEPANCIES. 1) THE INDUCTION AIR FILTER WAS CLOGGED WITH DIRT/DEBRIS, 2) THE AUTOMATIC AIR DOOR HINGE WAS BROKEN PREVENTING THE DOOR FROM REMAINING CLOSED AND 3) THE AUTOMATIC AIR DOOR HINGE BEHIND THE MANUAL ALTERNATE AIR BUTTERFLY WAS BROKEN. THE SPARK PLUGS ON THE RIGHT ENG WERE CARBON FOULED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5838X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5838X-1988-11-21), registration cancelled 1988-11-21, S/N 3100138 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310F
- Registry model: [Cessna 310F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310f) (registry code 2074216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310-0138
- Airframe hours: 3901
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Oscar Wallace Ketron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1985, 14 hours before
- Departed: MRF, MARFA, TX
- Destination: EL PASO, TX
- Airport: MRF, Marfa Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,697 total, 11 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRF

## 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 19850514016999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850514016999A), May 14, 1985: Cessna 310F, Marfa, TX, Destroyed. Black smoke from right engine on takeoff. Made a 180, descended, wing struck ground. Many engine discrepancies.

## Other investigations on N5838X (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 MKC67F0426](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0426), Jan 11, 1967: Cessna 310F (N5838X), Kansas City, MO, 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.

---
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.