# NTSB FTW90LA131: Cessna 310Q, N7546Q, College Station, TX, July 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1990, 21:40 local (Jul 4, 1990, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: College Station, TX
- Location: 30.5880° N, 96.3625° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at EASTERWOOD FLD (CLL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.5880&lon=-96.3625&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23150
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23150/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA131

## Probable cause

THE PIC'S IMPROPER FUEL TANK SELECTION, ALLOWING BOTH ENGINE TO QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - 1 engine - failure,total
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - 2 engines - failure,total
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PILOT SAID THAT AFTER LEFT ENGINE QUIT WHILE TURNING FINAL, HE SWITCHED THE LEFT ENGINE FROM THE LEFT MAIN TO LEFT AUX. HE SAID ENGINE RESTARTED, THEN QUIT AGAIN. THEN RIGHT ENGINE, RUNNING ON RIGHT MAIN, QUIT. DURING FORCED LANDING, SHORT OF THE RUNWAY, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. BOTH LEFT TANKS WERE EMPTY. RIGHT MAIN HAD 19 GALLONS, RIGHT AUX HAD 4 GALLONS. USING FUEL MANAGEMENT AS PILOT SAID, THE LEFT TANKS COULD NOT BOTH RUN DRY. LEFT ENGINE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN ON LEFT MAIN OR LEFT AUX, AND RIGHT ENGINE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN ON CROSSFEED TO LEFT MAIN. WHEN THE LEFT TANKS RAN DRY, THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT ENGINE WOULD HAVE QUIT RUNNING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7546Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7546Q-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 310Q0046, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310Q0046
- Airframe hours: 3607
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470U9B 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Ronnie L Huddleston
- Registered owner: Black, Delbert L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 19, 1989, 36 hours before
- Departed: FT WAYNE, IN
- Destination: CLL
- Airport: CLL, Easterwood, runway 16, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,762 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,475 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19900703023359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900703023359A), Jul 3, 1990: Cessna 310Q, College Station, TX, Substantial damage. Fuel mismanagement caused both engines to fail from fuel starvation. Failed to use crossfeed for opposite engine.

## Other investigations on N7546Q (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 CHI71FGA13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71FGA13), Dec 2, 1970: Cessna 310Q (N7546Q), Cincinnati, OH, 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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