# NTSB MIA96LA071: Cessna 310R, N5079J, Fort Pierce, FL, January 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 24, 1996, 11:19 local (16:19 UTC) - Place: Fort Pierce, FL - Location: 27.4975° N, 80.3726° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TREASURE COAST INTL (FPR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4975&lon=-80.3726&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor - Status: Completed, report October 4, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA071 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37974/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA071 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to follow emergency procedure(s) and/or feather the respective propeller after loss of power in the left engine for an undetermined reason. The undetermined loss of power (left engine) was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - 1 engine - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - emergency procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The flight was on left base for landing when the left engine lost power. The pilot believed that the right engine would not produce full power. He attempted to land on a road, but the airplane struck a tree and subsequently burned. According to the pilot, when he departed the Bahamas, there was '20 gallons in each main [tank], 30 [gallons] in each auxiliary tank, 20 [gallons] in left wing locker...[the] duration of the flight 1+40, fuel consumption 31 gallons per hour,' or an approximate burn of 52 gallons of fuel. While cruising at 6500 feet, he 'switched' to the auxiliary tanks, 'drained the left wing locker tank' and switched back to the main tanks. Examination of the wreckage revealed the left engine propeller had not been feathered. Also, the landing gear was found extended, and the left engine cowling was intact. The right engine and the right side of the airplane had been consumed by fire damage, but the left engine did not display any fire damage. Both fuel selectors were found positioned to the main fuel tanks. The left engine was placed on a test stand, and a test run was conducted, but no discrepancies were found. ## Factual narrative On January 24, 1996, about 1119 eastern standard time, N5079J, a Cessna 310R crashed in Fort Pierce, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries, and one passenger was seriously injured. The flight originated from Freeport, Bahamas, with a stop at North Eleutria Island. The pilot stated that on left base for landing the left engine failed and he did not feather the propeller. He further stated that the right engine would not produce full power. He attempted to land on a road and struck a tree. There was an extensive postcrash fire. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, when they departed North Eleutria Island, there was "20 gallons in each main [tank], 30 [gallons] in each auxiliary tank, 20 [gallons] in left wing locker...duration of the flight 1+40, fuel consumption 31 gallons per hour," or an approximate burn of 52 gallons of fuel. The pilot further stated that while at a cruise altitude of 6500 feet, he "switched" to the auxiliary tanks, and had "drained the left wing locker tank" en route to Freeport. Between Freeport and Fort Pierce, he switched back to the main tanks, and was on the mains when he landed. The pilot told the police that after performing the landing check list he extended the landing gear. He then turned left onto base leg when the "left engine quit." He went to full power on the right engine, but was "unable to get full power." Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left engine propeller was not feathered. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was down, and the left engine cowling was intact. The left engine and cowling did not display any fire damage. The right engine and right side of the airplane had been consumed by fire damage. Both fuel selectors were found on the main fuel tanks. The left engine was placed on a test stand and a test run was conducted. No discrepancies were found during the engine test run. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5079J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5079J-1997-05-09), registration cancelled 1997-05-09, S/N 310R0199 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 310R - Registry model: [Cessna T310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t310r) (registry code 2074246) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 310R0199 - Airframe hours: 1446 - Engines: Continental TSIO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Cordair Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1995 - Departed: MMEH, NORTH ELEUTRIA, OF - Destination: FPR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FPR, St Lucie County, runway 14, 4,756 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 10,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FPR ## 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 19960124000899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960124000899A), Jan 24, 1996: Cessna T310R, Fort Pierce, FL, Substantial damage. Lost left engine on base. Did not feather. Right engine low power. Hit tree landing on road. No defects left engine 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.