# NTSB MKC85FA036: Cessna 310L, N3325X, Kaiser, MO, December 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1984, 19:35 local (Dec 20, 1984, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Kaiser, MO
- Coordinates: 38.130195, -92.650726 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1302&lon=-92.6507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33814
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33814/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - holding(ifr)
  - autopilot/flight director,transmitter(autopilot) - fluctuating (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DEPARTING THE AIRPORT TO THE SOUTH CLIMBING. IFR FLT CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN THE AREA. THE PLT RPTD VFR AT 2000 FT. THE ACFT WAS NOTED BY PASSENGERS OF AN EARLIER FLIGHT TO HAVE MALFUNCTIONING AUTOPILOT ALTITUDE ANDGUIDANCE INSTRUMENTATION. NO RECORD OF REPAIRS TO THESE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS PRIOR TO THIS FLT WERE FOUND. NOR DID THE PLTREQUEST ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR REPAIR. THE PLT REQUESTED AND RCVD IFR CLEARANCE TO HIS INTENDED DESTINATION.  THE ACFT WAS HEARD DESCENDING UNTIL IMPACTING THE GROUND. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NEARLY VERTICAL ANGLE, BREAKING ONLY TWO TREE BRANCHES DURING THE VERTICAL DESCENT. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINES WAS DISCOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3325X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3325X-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 310L-0175, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310L
- Registry model: [Cessna 310L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310l) (registry code 2074230) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310L1075
- Airframe hours: 3318
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Lazy Eight Flying Club
- Registered owner: William J. Lay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: AIZ, KAISER, MO
- Destination: MO49, WASHINGTON, MO
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,692 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,441 as pilot in command, 191 in the last 90 days, 127 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIH, 38 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 19841219069679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841219069679A), Dec 19, 1984: Cessna 310L, Kaiser, MO, Destroyed. VFR on top, received IFR clearance. Impacted hilltop vertically. Passenger on previous flight said pilot fatigued.

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.