# NTSB LAX85FA084: Cessna 310, N5209A, Temecula, CA, December 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1984, 11:56 local (19:56 UTC)
- Place: Temecula, CA
- Location: 33.4936° N, 117.1484° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Temecula, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4936&lon=-117.1484&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA084

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS OF THE RT ENG DURING TAKEOFF FROM RANCHO CALIF AIRPORT & CRASHED ABOUT ONE HALF MI NORTHWEST. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB, NOR WOULD IT MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AT ABOUT 40 FT AGL. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED A RT TURN TO AVOID A BUILDING THE ACFT SPEED 'PROBABLY' WENT BELOW VMC. EXAMINATION OF THE RT ENG FAILED TO REVEAL ANY FAILURE OF THE ROTATIONAL/MECHANICAL SYSTEM. OIL FROM AN UNKNOWN ORGIN WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR AIR SIDE. IN A PRESSURE CARBURETOR, ANY CONTAMINENTS COULD CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5209A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5209A-2014-10-27), registration cancelled 2014-10-27, S/N 35409, 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: 35409
- Airframe hours: 4305
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-M 240 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. D. Hannam
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1984, 17 hours before
- Destination: AVX, AVALON, CA
- Airport: 2L0, Rancho California, runway 30, 3,500 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,486 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,163 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RIV, 23 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 19841225068389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841225068389A), Dec 25, 1984: Cessna 310, Temecula, CA, Destroyed. Right engine quit after liftoff, unable to climb. Uncontrolled descent to impact. Low compression on 3 cylinders.

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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