# NTSB MKC89LA071: Cessna 310, N5119C, Des Moines, IA, March 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1989, 05:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Des Moines, IA
- Location: 41.5340° N, 93.6631° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DES MOINES INTL (DSM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5340&lon=-93.6631&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA071

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY FLARE THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - anti-ice/deice system - initiated, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE THIRD LANDING ATTEMPT, AFTER TWO GO-AROUNDS, THE ACFT LANDED HARD COLLAPSING THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR AND VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY. EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE , DARK NIGHT, 500 FT CEILING, 1 1/2 MILES VIS AND LIGHT FREEZING DRIZZLE. THE PLT SAID THE CONTROL TOWER TURNED THE LIGHTS UP TO BRIGHT INTENSITY TO ASSIST HIM IN MAKING VISUAL CONTACT. THE PLT SAID THE BRIGHT LIGHTS CAUSED DISTORTION AND THE ILLUSION OF BEING LOWER THAN ACTUAL. THE ACFT HAD ACCUMULATED ICE ON THE AIRFRAME AND DEICING EQUIPMENT WAS BEING UTILIZED. THE PLT SAID HE USED HIGHER THAN NORMAL APPROACH SPEED BECAUSE OF THE ICE ACCUMULATION AND WEIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5119C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5119C-2013-03-25), registration cancelled 2013-03-25, S/N 310R1420, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R1420
- Airframe hours: 6735
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Fudge/Roger Van Pelt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 2, 1989, 88 hours before
- Departed: MKC, KANSAS CITY, MO
- Destination: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DSM, Des Moines, runway 12, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,041 total, 1,585 in this make and model, 2,753 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DSM, 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 19890303002959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890303002959A), Mar 3, 1989: Cessna 310R, Des Moines, IA, Substantial damage. Collapsed right main gear due to side load landing in strong crosswind. Airframe icing a contributing factor.

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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