# NTSB GAA18CA243: Cessna 310, N2212A, Gainesville, FL, April 30, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 29, 2018, 21:30 local (Apr 30, 2018, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Gainesville, FL
- Coordinates: 29.689167, -82.27333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6892&lon=-82.2733&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 27, 2018
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 97139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97139/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97139
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA243

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate approach path at night, which resulted in a tree strike.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2074218), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074218), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 310G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2074218), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Light condition: dark](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 310G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md?model=2074218), [All aircraft, 448 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03036020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2074218), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)
- [Approach: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Cessna 310G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=2074218), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, on final approach at night, while speaking with the control tower, the airplane's left horizontal stabilizer struck a tree. The pilot added full power, pitched up, the airplane yawed left, and he resumed final approach. The airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, on final approach at night, while speaking with the control tower, the left horizontal stabilizer struck a tree. The pilot added full power, pitched up, the airplane yawed left, and he resumed final approach. The airplane landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2212A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2212A), registered now, S/N 310G-0018 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310 (G)
- Registry model: [Cessna 310G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310g) (registry code 2074218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310G-0018
- Year built: 1962
- Airframe hours: 3193.5
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 2018
- Departed: PXE, PERRY, GA
- Destination: FXE, FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
- Airport: GNV, Gainesville Rgnl, runway 11, 7,504 × 150 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 12, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 207.3 total, 67.3 in this make and model, 115.3 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7.3 in the last 30 days, 1.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KGNV

## 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 20180429004329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180429004329A), Apr 29, 2018: Cessna 310G, Gainsville, FL, Substantial damage. While piloting his Cessna 310 he departed pxe at 7:50 pm on April 29, 2018, with his wife [privacy data omitted]. After flying on a VFR flight with radar…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97139. 3.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464489&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 206 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40464490&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF

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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