# NTSB MIA94LA118: Cessna 310J, N310JF, Ocala, FL, April 10, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1994, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Ocala, FL
- Location: 29.1719° N, 82.2241° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OCALA INTL-JIM TAYLOR FLD (OCF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1719&lon=-82.2241&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 7, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA118

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ASSURE THE GENERATORS WERE ENGAGED BEFORE FLIGHT (FAILED TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST).

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - electrical system,generator - not engaged
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - electrical system,battery - discharged
  - gear extension - attempted, pilot in command
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - gear down and locked - not possible, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

DURING ENGINE START, THE PILOT FAILED TO TURN ON THE GENERATORS. IN FLIGHT, BATTERY POWER WAS DEPLETED, AND THE PILOT MANUALLY EXTENDED THE LANDING GEAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET IT FULLY EXTENDED. ON THE LANDING ROLL, THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, AND THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIRPLANE WAS PLACED ON JACKS. USING THE AIRPLANE'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND LANDING GEAR MOTOR, THE LANDING GEAR OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Factual narrative

On April 10, 1994, about 1045 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310J, N310JF, registered to Richard L. Cloninger dba Le Aire, experienced collapse of the left main landing gear on landing at the Ocala Municipal Airport, Ocala, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and three passengers were not injured.  The flight originated from the Gastonia Municipal Airport, Gastonia, North Carolina about 0830.

The pilot stated that he failed to turn on the generators as required by the checklist and about 1 hour into the flight, he discovered that battery power supply had been depleted.  The flight continued to the destination and he lowered the landing gear manually.  Without electrical system power the landing gear down and locked light did not illuminate.  After touchdown, the left main landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway into grass.

The airplane was placed on jacks and using the airplane's electrical system, the landing gear operationally tested normally using the landing gear motor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N310JF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310J
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310J0063
- Airframe hours: 2538
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-U 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cloninger, Richard L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 14, 1994, 16 hours before
- Departed: 0A6, GASTONIA, NC
- Destination: OCF
- Airport: OCF, Ocala Regional/Jim Taylor, runway 18, 6,906 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,286 total, 167 in this make and model, 1,161 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OCF, 1 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 19940410010599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940410010599A), Apr 10, 1994: Cessna 310J, Ocala, FL, Substantial damage. Left main gear collapsed landing. En route depleted battery due generator off. Manual gear extend not locked down.

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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