# NTSB FTW92FA232: Cessna 310R, N616CA, Idabel, OK, September 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1992, 00:52 local (05:52 UTC)
- Place: Idabel, OK
- Coordinates: 33.899356, -94.810005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8994&lon=-94.8100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA232

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DESCENT BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE. FACTORS WERE THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR PROCEDURE, LOW CEILING, AND DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, missed approach (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT ACCEPTED A CLEARANCE TO FLY THE NDB RWY 17 APPROACH TO THE UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT WITHOUT ALTIMETER INFORMATION. THIS MADE THE MDA 1,300 FEET. THE WEATHER REPORTED TO THE PILOT WAS 800 FEET OVERCAST AND VISIBILITY 2 MILES AT A FACILITY 48 MILES AWAY. WEATHER AT THE AIRPORT WAS 200 FEET OVERCAST AND 2 MILES VISIBILITY. THE LIGHT CONDITION WAS DARK NIGHT WITH FOG AND HAZE. THE AIRPORT MANAGER ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE PILOT BY RADIO WHEN HE HEARD THE AIRPLANE PASS OVER THE NDB, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE PILOT DESCENDED BELOW THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE AND IMPACTED INTO TREES AND THE LITTLE RIVER ABOUT 7 MILES NNW OF THE AIRPORT. NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE NOTED DURING THE POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE AND ITS SYSTEMS. ABOUT 8 HOURS AFTER THE ACCIDENT A 13 YEAR OLD PASSENGER SWAM ASHORE AND WAS LATER LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILES FROM THE SITE. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME RESCUERS FOUND THE WRECKAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N616CA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N616CA-2013-06-07), registration cancelled 2013-06-07, S/N 310R0214, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R0214
- Airframe hours: 5666
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-M(1) 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mor Tar Inc.
- Registered owner: Mor Tar Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1992, 50 hours before
- Departed: CDH, CAMDEN, AR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: F62, Idabel, runway 17, 4,011 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,497 total, 185 in this make and model, 1,283 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 66 °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 19920926038869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920926038869A), Sep 26, 1992: Cessna 310R, Idabel, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Descended below dh in night fog. Unable see airport. Began missed approach,struck trees and fell into a river.

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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