# NTSB LAX88FA230: Cessna 310, N170R, Big Bear Lake, CA, June 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1988, 13:29 local (20:29 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 34.229362, -116.860382 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2294&lon=-116.8604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA230

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED MULTIENGINE PILOT AND FRIENDS FLEW TO BIG BEAR AIRPORT FOR LUNCH. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE AT THE AIRPORT WAS ABOUT 8,000 FEET. THE PILOT ENTERED A SOUTH DOWNWIND LEG FOR RUNWAY 07 AT THE AIRPORT FOLLOWING A MOONEY 231. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING VERY SLOW WHEN IT WAS ON THE DOWNWIND LEG. WHEN THE AIRPLANE ENTERED THE BASE LEG. IT STALLED AND ENTERED INTO A SPIN. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A NEAR VERTICAL DESCENT ATTITUDE. THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S LANDING GEARS AND FLAPS WERE EXTENDED; THE AMOUNT OF FLAP EXTENSION, HOWEVER, COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N170R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N170R-1991-03-26), registration cancelled 1991-03-26, S/N 35003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310
- Registry model: [Cessna 310](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310) (registry code 2074202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35003
- Airframe hours: 3853
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ted Raymond Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 17, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: L35
- Airport: L-35, Big Bear City Airport, runway 7, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 364 total, 96 in this make and model, 263 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Observed at: L35, 2 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 19880623023609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880623023609A), Jun 23, 1988: Cessna 310, Big Bear, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Observed in spin. Factors fuel mismangement, temporary power loss, misused trim. Turbulence.

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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