# NTSB FTW93LA145: Cessna 310H, N48AA, Brookshire, TX, April 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1993, 05:30 local (10:30 UTC)
- Place: Brookshire, TX
- Coordinates: 29.780279, -95.949996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7803&lon=-95.9500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA145

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. FACTORS WERE THE DARK NIGHT AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear - sheared

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING AN EARLY MORNING TAKEOFF IN NIGHT CONDITIONS FROM A GRASS AIRSTRIP IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, HE INCORRECTLY ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE FOR TAKEOFF. HE SAID HE COULD NOT SEE THE RUNWAY DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED ACROSS AT LEAST 2 TAXIWAYS SHEARING THE LANDING GEAR. THE RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED.

## Factual narrative

On April 30, 1993, at 0530 central daylight time (CDT) a Cessna      310H, N48AA, was substantially damaged during the takeoff, at      Brookshire, Texas.  Weather was instrument meteorological          conditions for the local area flight. The pilot was not injured.      R. G. Aero of Houston, Texas, was the registered owner.

During an interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation      Administration inspector, the pilot reported that he aligned the      airplane incorrectly, due to restrictions of visibility, and as      he began his takeoff roll the airplane crossed at least two      taxiways.  As he crossed the taxiways his landing gear was      sheared.  He reported that visibility was such that he could not      see the runway to make the correct aircraft alignment.  Although      the nearest weather reporting facility, Houston Intercontinental      (IAH), was reporting visual meteorological conditions, actual      weather at the accident site was obscured.

Witnesses at the scene stated that there were 4 passengers      onboard the airplane at the time of the accident. The witnesses      also stated that it was dark and the runway lights were not on.      The pilot was requested to provide the names of the passengers,      his only response was he did not know them. The pilot would not      cooperate in providing any information as to how to gain      information on the passengers or on his proposed flight.

Numerous attempts to have the pilot return a completed      Pilot/Operator Report NTSB Form 6120.1/2 were unsuccessful.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N48AA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310H0051
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. G. Aero Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: 27XS, Sporty Flyer, runway 36, 4,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19930430015369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930430015369A), Apr 30, 1993: Cessna 310H, Brookshire, TX, Substantial damage. Tried to depart at night with no runway lights an zero IMC. Improperly aligned. Struck obstructions severing gear.

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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