# NTSB LAX88LA318: Cessna T310R, N5126J, La Verne, CA, September 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1988, 18:14 local (Sep 16, 1988, 01:14 UTC)
- Place: La Verne, CA
- Coordinates: 34.149185, -117.75975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1492&lon=-117.7597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA318

## Sequence of events

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

- Gear not extended, landing - flare/touchdown
  - gear extension - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wheels up landing - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS TROUBLESHOOTING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL FLOW SYSTEM. DURING THE PREFLIGHT RUN-UP, HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL FLOW GAUGE FOR THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS READING TOO HIGH. HE TOOK OFF TO SEE IF HE COULD MAKE AN INFLIGHT DETERMINATION OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN AIRBORNE, THE GAUGE INDICATED A VALUE THAT THE PILOT CONSIDERED EXCESSIVE, SO HE RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO LAND. HE MADE A NO FLAP APPROACH, WITH POWER SET ABOVE TEN INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. THIS CONFIGURATION DOES NOT ALLOW ACTIVATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S GEAR-UP WARNING SYSTEM. THE PILOT DID NOT EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR. DURING LANDING FLARE THE PILOT REDUCED POWER, ACTIVATING THE GEAR-UP WARNING HORN. THE PILOT MISTAKENLY THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS THE STALL WARNING HORN AND LOWERED THE NOSE TO LAND. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5126J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T310R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R0246
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-B 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward E. Dye, doing business as Contract Fire Protection
- Registered owner: Contract Fire Protection
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: POC, Brackett Field, runway 26L, 4,839 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,031 total, 133 in this make and model, 964 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: POC

## 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 19880915044299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880915044299A), Sep 15, 1988: Cessna T310R, La Verne, CA, Substantial damage. Landed gear up. Preoccupied with excessive fuel pressure problem. Neglected the gear. Mistook horn for stall horn.

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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