# NTSB LAX84LA185: Cessna 310, N667R, Tucson, AZ, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1984, 18:30 local (Feb 20, 1984, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.19057, -110.980041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1906&lon=-110.9800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24175
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24175/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA185

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - qualification, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - not operating (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS FOR SALE & THE PLT, WHO REPRESENTED HIMSELF AS BEING QUALIFIED TO FLY IT, WAS PERFORMING A PRE-PURCHASE FLT. HE REPORTED THAT HE INITIALLY FELT UNCOMFORTABLE FLYING THIS ACFT ALTHOUGH HE HAD PREVOUSLY OWNED A CESSNA 310. HE WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE LOCATION OF SOME OF THE ACFT'S SWITCHES & MADE THE STATEMENT THAT IT WAS DARK INSIDE THE COCKPIT. DURING A STEEP TURN TO BASE, THE ENGS SPUTTERED. RWY 24 WAS NOTAMED CLOSED & THE RWY LITES WERE INOP. THE PLT STATED THAT WHEN HE HEARD THE ENGS SPUTTER, HE BECAME CONFUSED & ANXIOUS. HE STATED 'I GOT ANTSY PANTS, DID A 360 DEGREETURN, AND CRASHED.' THE ACFT IMPACTED HARD ON THE UNLIGHTED TAXIWAY PARLLELING RWY 24 IN A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE LANDING GEAR WAS FOUND IN THE FULLY RETRACTED POSITION. THE STUDENT HAD NOT BEEN ENDORSED TO SOLO IN A CESSNA 310. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE ON MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N667R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N667R-2014-11-05), registration cancelled 2014-11-05, S/N 35443, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310
- Registry model: [Cessna 310](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310) (registry code 2074202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35443
- Airframe hours: 1822
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Francis Rhinehard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: RYN, Ryan Field, runway 24, 5,500 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 362 total, 80 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840219004659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840219004659A), Feb 19, 1984: Cessna 310, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Student pilot flying twin engine airplane. He was not qualified for. Made gear up landing.

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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