# NTSB LAX92LA409: Cessna 310D, N6755T, Minden, NV, September 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1992, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.009376, -119.750183 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0094&lon=-119.7502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA409
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA409

## Probable cause

PILOT'S AND MECHANIC'S INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE PILOT'S POOR INFLIGHT DECISION BY NOT RETURNING TO THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT AFTER EXPERIENCING THE INITIAL ENGINE LOSS OF POWER ON TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS FUEL STARVATION DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION, THE HIGH VEGETATION, AND THE ROAD SIGN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (contributing factor)
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - sign (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN OR THE ENGINES RUN IN TWELVE YEARS. BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT THE PILOT AND AN A&P MECHANIC INSPECTED THE AIRCRAFT.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE RIGHT ENGINE QUIT AND THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH.  THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE RIGHT ENGINE AND MANAGED TO KEEP THE LEFT ENGINE RUNNING BY ADJUSTING THE MIXTURE.  WHILE ON DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 16 AT THE DESTINATION AIRPORT THE RIGHT ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND DOWNWIND ON RUNWAY 34.  WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 34 THE PILOT OBSERVED AN AIRCRAFT LANDING ON THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.  AT THIS TIME BOTH ENGINES BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO EXECUTE AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING.  THE PILOT LANDED IN A SCRUB BRUSH COVERED, OPEN FIELD.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A ROAD MARKER.  THE EXAMINATION OF BOTH ENGINES REVEALED THAT BOTH ENGINES' FUEL CONTROL SERVO AND MAIN FUEL SYSTEM SCREENS WERE DIRTY AND PARTIALLY PLUGGED. THE LEFT ENGINE DISTRIBUTOR VALVE PISTON WAS SEIZED AND CONTAINED REMNANTS OF THE FUEL TANKS BLADDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6755T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 39055
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Rebuilt Aircraft & Salvage
- Registered owner: Aviation Training, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 0, CARSON CITY, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 15,000 total, 800 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 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 19920930039299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920930039299A), Sep 30, 1992: Cessna 310D, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. Lost both engines near destination landed off airport. Had been idle for 12 years. Fuel system fouled with dirt.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.