# NTSB LAX02LA177: Cessna 310N, N588JL, Dayton, NV, May 26, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 25, 2002, 17:55 local (May 26, 2002, 00:55 UTC) - Place: Dayton, NV - Coordinates: 39.237777, -119.55722 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2378&lon=-119.5572&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 54783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA177 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54783/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54783 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA177 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to fuel starvation as a result of the pilot's failure to use a checklist and position the fuel selectors to tanks containing fuel. ## 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 - final approach - all engines - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain short of the airport following a dual engine loss of power. The pilot reported verbally to the Safety Board that while on final approach to the uncontrolled airport the left engine quit. He secured the engine, then the right engine quit. At that point, the pilot realized that he was landing on the auxiliary fuel tanks, which were nearly empty, and the airplane was too low to attempt an engine restart. He stated that there were no malfunctions with the airplane or the engines, and that he had failed to change the fuel selectors to the main fuel tanks. ## Factual narrative On May 25, 2002, about 1755 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 310N, N588JL, experienced a total loss of engine power and made a forced landing off the airport at Dayton, Nevada. The flight was operated by the private pilot under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight originated at Watsonville, California, about 1700. The pilot reported verbally to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) that while on final approach to the uncontrolled airport the left engine quit. He secured the engine, then the right engine quit. The pilot realized at that point he was landing on the auxiliary fuel tanks, which were nearly empty, and the airplane was too low to attempt an engine restart. He stated that there were no malfunctions with the airplane or the engines, and that he had failed to change the fuel selectors to the main fuel tanks. The pilot did not file nor return a Safety Board form 6120.1/2, Pilot/Operator Accident Report Form. The IIC interviewed the pilot by telephone shortly after the accident. The pilot stated that he was not the owner of the airplane, and that he had just finished an annual inspection and decided to fly it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N588JL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N588JL-2006-03-10), registration cancelled 2006-03-10, S/N 310N-0092, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310N - Registry model: [Cessna 310N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310n) (registry code 2074234) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310N-0092 - Engines: Continental IO-470-0 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Larry M. Curtis - Registered owner: Thomas F. Mitchell - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: WVI, Watsonville, CA - Destination: A36, Dayton, NV - Airport: NV11, Dayton Valley Airpark, runway 5, 5,400 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 30 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 19 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 18 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 20020525011489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020525011489A), May 25, 2002: Cessna 310N, Dayton, NV, No damage. (.19) On may 25, 2002, about 1755 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 310N, N588JL, force landed off the airport during the final landing approach at Dayton,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54783. 27 KB in all. - Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Redacted.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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.