# NTSB MIA85LA165: Cessna 310G, N2903R, Palm City, FL, May 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1985, 19:29 local (23:29 UTC)
- Place: Palm City, FL
- Location: 27.1775° N, 80.2891° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palm City, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1775&lon=-80.2891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31395/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear - overload
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE LEFT ENG LOST POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT, SO HE REDUCED POWER ON THE RIGHT ENG & SUBSEQUENTLY MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A FIELD. DURING THE LANDING, THE GEAR COLLAPSED, THEN THE ACFT SLID INTO A TREE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 8 MONTHS & HAD RECENTLY FLOWN FOR ONLY ABOUT 2 HRS. A POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION & A TEST RUN OF THE ENG SHOWED NO SIGNS OF A FAILURE. THE PASSENGER STATED THE LEFT FUEL FLOW METER STARTED FLUCTUATING AT THE SAME TIME THE ENG LOST P0WER, THEN THE FUEL FLOW INDICATION DROPPED TO ZERO.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2903R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2903R-1988-09-23), registration cancelled 1988-09-23, S/N 310G0103 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310G
- Registry model: [Cessna 310G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310g) (registry code 2074218) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310G0103
- Airframe hours: 3185
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Stephen M. Ricks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 1, 1985, 7 hours before
- Destination: FXE, FT.LAUDERDALE, FL
- Airport: 64X, Naked Lady Ranch, runway 36, 2,640 × 170 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,825 total, 36 in this make and model, 1,625 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VRB, 31 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 19850506022779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850506022779A), May 6, 1985: Cessna 310G, Palm City, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on left engine after fuel flow fell according to pilot. Landed in field, aircraft slid into a tree.

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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