# NTSB MKC89LA072: Cessna 310, N98934, Cedar Rapids, IA, March 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1989, 18:50 local (Mar 4, 1989, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Cedar Rapids, IA
- Location: 41.8847° N, 91.7108° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at THE EASTERN IOWA (CID), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8847&lon=-91.7108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34762
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34762/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA072

## Probable cause

THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WAS NOT ATTAINED BY THE PILOT AND THE CRANKSHAFT FAILURE ON ONE ENGINE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE APPROACH LIGHTS WHICH WERE CONTACTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command
  - performed, pilot in command
- Undershoot, approach
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - proper glidepath - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - restricted, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - approach light/navaid (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER ABOUT 15 TO 20 MINUTES INTO A PERSONAL IFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE LEFT ENGINE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND LOSE POWER. HE SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN, CONTACTED DES MOINES APPROACH FOR VECTORS TO THE ARPT. THE DSM WEATHER WAS BELOW MINIMUM SO VECTORS WERE GIVEN TO THE CEDAR RAPIDS ARPT. DURING THE APPROACH TO RUNWAY 9 AN AREA OF HEAVY RAIN WAS ENCOUNTERED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY STRIKING THE APPROACH LIGHTS AND SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE ACFT. POST ACCIDENT LEFT ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED A BROKE CRANKSHAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N98934 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R0654
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Krueger, Urnie G.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: OMA, OMAHA, NE
- Destination: ARR, AURORA, IL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CID, Cedar Rapids, runway 9, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,466 total, 1,271 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 70° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CID, 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 19890303003379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890303003379A), Mar 3, 1989: Cessna 310R, Cedar Rapids, IA, Substantial damage. Left engine crankshaft failed on IFR climbout. Secured engine. Heavy rain on final obscured runway. Landed short.

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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