# NTSB FTW88FA051: Cessna 310, N3022D, Conroe, TX, January 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 14, 1988, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Coordinates: 30.320287, -95.469184 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3203&lon=-95.4692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22535
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22535/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, WHO HAD 55.2 HOURS TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, WAS ON HIS INITIAL SOLO FLIGHT IN THE CESSNA 310 MODEL. HIS FLIGHT LOGBOOK HAD BEEN ENDORSED FOR SOLO FLIGHT IN THE AIRCRAFT ON NOVEMBER 20, 1987. WITNESSES OBSERVED A RATHER STEEP CLIMBOUT AFTER TAKEOFF TO AN ALTITUDE OF 2,500 TO 3,000 FEET MSL WHERE THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO AN INVERTED ATTITUDE AND DID A 2 1/2 TURN SPIN TO THE LEFT. THE SPIN ROTATION WAS ARRESTED BUT THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA 4 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. NO EVIDENCE OF CONTROL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE ENGINES WERE SATISFACTORILY RUN IN A TEST CELL AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE PROPELLERS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF ROTATION AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3022D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3022D-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 35222, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310
- Registry model: [Cessna 310](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310) (registry code 2074202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35222
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-M 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clarence S. Thompson
- Registered owner: Mark A. Evanson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 1987
- Departed: CXO, CONROE, TX
- Destination: 4F2, CARTHAGE, TX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CXO, Montgomery County, runway 14, 5,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 55 total, 7 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 20 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 19880114000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880114000549A), Jan 14, 1988: Cessna 310, Conroe, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft observed to roll into inverted spin on climbout then recovered too late and hit trees. Had fuel imbalance.

## Other investigations on N3022D (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 LAX81FVG04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVG04-201179), Oct 31, 1980: Cessna 310 (N3022D), Chico, 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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