# NTSB LAX87FA156: Cessna 310Q, N7603Q, Half Moon Bay, CA, March 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1987, 16:49 local (Mar 26, 1987, 00:49 UTC)
- Place: Half Moon Bay, CA
- Location: 37.4673° N, 122.4399° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Half Moon Bay, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4673&lon=-122.4399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25394
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA156
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25394/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA156

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING NORTHWEST OVER WATER ALONG THE PACIFIC COAST ON AN IFR CLNC, THE PLT RPRTD TO THE SECTOR CONTROLLER (CTLR) 'WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.'  THE CTLR INQUIRED ABOUT THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM. THE PLT THEN STATED, 'GOING DOWN FAST, OUT OF CONTROL.'  THE CTLR OBSERVED THAT THE ACFT WAS LOSING ALT RAPIDLY & INSTRUCTED THE PLT TO TURN RIGHT TO 090 DEG FOR VECTORS TOWARD THE SHORELINE; THE PLT RESPONDED, 'WE'RE GOING IN.'  NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE PLT. THE CTLR NOTED THE ACFT'S TRANSPONDER CODE WENT INTO A COAST MODE & THE PRIMARY TARGET WENT INTO A SLOW LEFT TURN. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WITH THE ACFT AFTER IT HAD TURNED TO A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING. COAST GUARD HELICOPTERS ARRIVED OVER THE AREA OF THE ACDNT AT ABOUT 1700 PST. THE HELICOPTER AIRCREWS FOUND AN OIL SLICK, A LNDG GEAR & OTHER REMNANTS OF THE ACFT; HOWEVER, THE MAJOR PORTION OF THE ACFT SANK & WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7603Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7603Q-2013-05-01), registration cancelled 2013-05-01, S/N 310Q0538, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310Q
- Registry model: [Cessna T310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t310q) (registry code 2074244) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310Q0538
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dean S. Pocock
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Destination: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,120 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SFO, 15 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 19870325007389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870325007389A), Mar 25, 1987: Cessna T310Q, Half Moon Bay, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Told ATC the aircraft was going to crash and was out of control. Crashed in ocean and not recovered. All unknown.

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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