# NTSB MIA89FA054: Cessna 310L, N2251F, Cedar Key, FL, December 21, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1988, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Key, FL
- Coordinates: 29.139909, -83.029113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1399&lon=-83.0291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32270
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32270/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fuel system,line - leak (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - fire (cause)
  - fuel system,line - burned
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE EVIDENCE INDICATED THAT PERSONNEL FAILED TO TIGHTEN A FUEL LINE AT THE FUEL PRESSURE SWITCH ON LEFT ENGINE RESULTING IN FUEL LINE LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN FLIGHT. AN INFLIGHT FIRE BURNED THROUGH A FUEL CROSSFEED FUEL LINE WHICH COULD NOT BE SHUTOFF BY THE PILOT. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED WATER IN A LEFT WING LOW ATTITUDE RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2251F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2251F-1989-06-07), registration cancelled 1989-06-07, S/N 310L0051 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310L
- Registry model: [Cessna 310L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310l) (registry code 2074230) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310L-0051
- Airframe hours: 1857
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Cyril, Ronald A.
- Registered owner: J Allen Waters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1988, 30 hours before
- Departed: SQR, SARASOTA, FL
- Destination: TLH, TALLAHASSEE, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,110 total, 1,365 in this make and model, 1,940 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GNV, 53 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 19881221055459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881221055459A), Dec 21, 1988: Cessna 310L, Cedar Key, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Engine fire in flight caused heat and smoke in cabin and burned through aileron cable. Lost control,crashed in gulf

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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