# NTSB MKC85FA088: Cessna 310G, N8942Z, Mena, AR, April 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 22, 1985, 08:16 local (14:16 UTC)
- Place: Mena, AR
- Coordinates: 34.579566, -94.229324 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5796&lon=-94.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - failure,total
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - overload
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - failure,total
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED OUT OF CONTROL AFTER AN IN-FLT AIRFRAME FAILURE. THE PLT HAD ENTERED AN AREA OF THUNDERSTORMS AFTER BEING ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED IN THAT AREA. THE PLT WAS SINGLE ENG RATED AND HIS FLT TIME IN THIS Z ENG ACFT WAS 18 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8942Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8942Z-1990-03-29), registration cancelled 1990-03-29, S/N 310G0042 (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: 310G-0042
- Airframe hours: 6153
- Engines: LYCOMING TIO-540 SER 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Marshall
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1984, 45 hours before
- Departed: FYV, FAYETTEVILLE, AR
- Destination: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 473 total, 18 in this make and model, 234 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 11 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FYV, 39 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 19850422014159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850422014159A), Apr 22, 1985: Cessna STC310, Mena, AR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft came apart after encountering thunderstorm. Convective sigmets in area. Pilot not multi or IFR rated.

## Other investigations on N8942Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI74FEE85](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEE85), Jun 12, 1974: Cessna 310G (N8942Z), Joliet, IL, substantial damage

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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