# NTSB FTW93LA271: Cessna 310Q, N777HB, Edgewood, NM, September 30, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1993, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Edgewood, NM
- Coordinates: 35.080627, -106.169136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0806&lon=-106.1691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA271

## Probable cause

A PROPELLER CONTROL UNIT FAILURE, AND LOSS OF THE PILOT'S OPTION  TO FEATHER THE PROPELLER. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE  TERRAIN FOR A FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,prop control unit - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE LEFT PROPELLER CONTROL  RING FAILED AND THE LEFT PROPELLER COULD NOT BE FEATHERED.  THE  PILOT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE DUE TO VIBRATION, DECLARED AN  EMERGENCY, AND WAS VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT.  UNABLE TO  MAKE IT TO THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING SHORT OF  THE RUNWAY ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR  COLLAPSED DURING LANDING ROLL.

## Factual narrative

On September 30, 1993, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N777HB, impacted the ground short of the runway during a forced landing at Sandia Airpark, Edgewood, New Mexico.  The pilot and his two passengers were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was on file.  The flight departed Clovis, New Mexico, at 0700 with a filed destination of Saint George, Utah.

Examination of the aircraft by FAA personnel provided evidence that the left engine propeller control ring and counter weights came off causing a loss of control of the propeller and eliminating the ability of the pilot to feather the propeller.  According to the pilot, he secured that engine due to vibration and was unable to maintain flight on the remaining engine due to excessive drag from the propeller.  He said he attempted a forced landing at Animas Airpark, being vectored to that facility by Albuquerque Center.  Unable to extend the flight, he landed approximately 150 feet short of the runway on rough terrain and the right main landing gear collapsed during landing roll.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N777HB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N777HB-1995-03-17), registration cancelled 1995-03-17, S/N 310Q0073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310Q-0073
- Airframe hours: 5295
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mclellan Afb Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1993, 58 hours before
- Departed: CVN, CLOVIS, NM
- Destination: SGU, SAINT GEORGE, UT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NM51, Sandia Airpark, East, runway 27, 5,280 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,450 total, 24 in this make and model, 385 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 100 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 19930930037169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930930037169A), Sep 30, 1993: Cessna 310Q, Edgewood, NM, Substantial damage. Lost power, vectored to airpark, hit a short fence.

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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