# NTSB FTW85LA249: Cessna 310F, N6778X, Midland, TX, June 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1985, 15:02 local (20:02 UTC)
- Place: Midland, TX
- Location: 31.9425° N, 102.2019° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MIDLAND INTL AIR AND SPACE PORT (MAF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9425&lon=-102.2019&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA249
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA249

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - landing gear,nose gear - movement restricted (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear - undetermined (cause)
- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - propeller feathering - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ON TAKEOFF, THE PLT HEARD A LOUD BANG WHEN HE CYCLED THE GEAR UP AND HE GOT A GEAR UNSAFE LIGHT. PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND ADVISED HIM THAT THE NOSE GEAR WAS HANGING DOWN AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE, BUT THE MAINS WERE UP. THE PLT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY ARPT THAT HAD BETTER EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT. ON FINAL, THE PLT SHUT DOWN BOTH ENGS TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LANDED SHORT AND SHEARED THE MAIN GEAR WHEN THE ACFT STARTED SLIDING SIDEWAYS. THE REASON FOR THE GEAR FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6778X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6778X-2012-12-11), registration cancelled 2012-12-11, S/N 310-0078, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310F
- Registry model: [Cessna 310F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310f) (registry code 2074216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3100078
- Airframe hours: 5165
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 360 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Ezell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: E11, ANDREWS, TX
- Destination: 9X52, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: MAF, Midland  Reg, runway 16L, 4,245 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,230 total, 136 in this make and model, 1,752 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 52 °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 19850609023579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850609023579A), Jun 9, 1985: Cessna 310F, Midland, TX, Substantial damage. Nose gear would not fully retract or extend. Feathered props on final, landed short of runway, mains sheared off.

## Other investigations on N6778X (2)

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 DIA67A0002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DIA67A0002), Nov 30, 1966: Cessna 310F (N6778X), Chantilly, VA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC67F0134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0134), Aug 13, 1966: Cessna 310F (N6778X), Chantilly, VA, 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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