# NTSB LAX92LA337: Cessna 310M, N26070, Honolulu, HI, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 02:12 local (12:12 UTC)
- Place: Honolulu, HI
- Coordinates: 21.350238, -157.880065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.3502&lon=-157.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27720
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA337
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27720/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA337

## Probable cause

LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON AFTER THE PILOT TOOK OFF AT NIGHT AND FLEW THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE AREA OF A THUNDERSTORM AND LIGHTNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - thunderstorm
  - weather condition - lightning
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE FLT DEPARTED HONOLULU FOR A LOCAL VFR FLT & WAS RECEIVING RADAR ADVISORIES.  THE FLT CLIMBED TO 1,500 FEET MSL. RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT FLEW IN A SOUTHEASTERLY DIRECTION ALONG THE COAST & TURNED EAST WHEN IT WAS ABEAM DIAMOND HEAD.  UPON APPROACHING KOKO HEAD, THE ACFT ENTERED A 450 DEGREE TURN TO A SOUTHERLY HEADING. WHILE IN THE TURN THE ACFT BEGAN A DESCENT, THEN DISAPPEARED FROM THE RADAR SCOPE AT ABOUT 700 FT MSL.  THE ACFT HAD BEEN FLYING FOR 12 MIN.  GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED HEARING THE ACFT FLY OVER THEIR HOMES BEFORE IT CRASHED OFF-SHORE IN OCEAN WATERS.  THUNDERSTORMS WITH LIGHTNING WAS REPORTED NEAR THE ACDNT AREA.  SEVERAL ACFT FLIGHTCREWS CONFIRMED THE THUNDERSTORMS & LIGHTNING.  U.S. NAVY RADAR DISPLAY VIDEO PHOTOCOPIES SHOWED THE PRESENCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE ACDNT AREA.  NO RECORD WAS FOUND OF THE PILOT RECEIVING A WX BRIEFING BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACDNT FLT.  SEARCH & RESCUE PERSONNEL RECOVERED ONLY 2 ACFT SEATS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26070](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26070-2011-07-20), registration cancelled 2011-07-20, S/N 310M0025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310M
- Registry model: [Cessna 310E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310e) (registry code 2074214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-470-series) (registry code 17044, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310M0025
- Airframe hours: 7047
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davidson, Steven T.
- Registered owner: Richard Fast & Carol Read
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1992, 118 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,414 total, 144 in this make and model, 1,358 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F

## 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 19920808029729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808029729A), Aug 8, 1992: Cessna 310E, Honolulu, HI, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into area of thunderstorms at dark night,heavy rain. Disappeared off radar over ocean. Cabin seats in ocean.

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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