# NTSB LAX87LA063: Cessna 310K, N6953L, Phoenix, AZ, November 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1986, 08:22 local (15:22 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.679512, -112.090522 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6795&lon=-112.0905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 6 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25489
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25489/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear - overload (cause)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - door - not engaged (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS LANDED HARD WHILE ON A PLEASURE FLT. THE PLT INDICATED THAT WHILE EN ROUTE TO HIS DESTINATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DOOR WAS NOT PROPERLY SHUT. HE DIVERTED TO PHOENIX TO SHUT THE DOOR. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING VERTICALLY FROM APRX 40 FT AGL PRIOR TO THE HARD THREE POINT LANDING. IT WAS INITIALLY REPORTED THAT ONE TIRE HAD BLOWN, HOWEVER, IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6953L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6953L), registered now, S/N 310K0053, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K
- Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310K0053
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chappell. Chappell
- Registered owner: Chappell, Hubert M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P19, CHANDLER, AZ
- Destination: GCH, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Airport: DVT, Deer Valley Muni., runway 7R, 5,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 241 total, 40 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT

## 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 19861115067579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861115067579A), Nov 15, 1986: Cessna 310K, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft landed hard. The precautionary landing at a strange field was made to close an unlatched door.

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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