# NTSB NYC84FA073: Cessna 310G, N8969Z, Pequannock, NJ, January 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1984, 13:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Pequannock, NJ
- Location: 40.9523° N, 74.2988° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pequannock, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9523&lon=-74.2988&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35312
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35312/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA073

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - gear retraction - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AN FBO MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE PLT HAD REQUESTED A JUMPSTART. THE WX WAS COLD (20 DEG) & THE INITIAL ATTEMPTED ENG START WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER BEING PREHEATED, BOTH ENGS WERE STARTED. NOTHING ABNORMAL WAS NOTED DURING TAXI, RUN-UP & THE TAKEOFF ROLL. HOWEVER, DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB, BLACK SMOKE WAS OBSERVED TRAILING FROM THE LEFT ENG. AT APRX 600 FTAGL, THE SMOKE STOPPED & THE ACFT ENTERED A SHALLOW LEFT TURN & STARTED TO LOOSE ALT. THE PLT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY & SAID HE 'LOST' HIS LEFT ENG. SUBLSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL, ENTER AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT & CRASH. WITNESSES HEARD THE SOUND OF ENG POWER, BUT COULD NOT TELL WHETHER IT WAS FROM 1 OR 2 ENGS. NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE WAS FOUND. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE GEAR WAS EXTENDED, THE FLAPS WERE UP & BOTH PROPS WERE AT A LOW PITCH (UNFEATHERED) SETTING. THE LEFT PROP BLADES HAD LITTLE ROTATIONAL DAMAGE. A TEST OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED: COCAINE 0.25 MG/L, BENZOYLECGONINE 3.78 MG/L, MORPHINE 0.32 MG/L, CODEINE 0.07 MG/L & CO2 9.2 TO 18%. THE PLT WAS A HVY SMOKER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8969Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8969Z-1984-10-26), registration cancelled 1984-10-26, S/N 310G0069 (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-0069
- Airframe hours: 4234
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chrisair Management Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1983, 1 hours before
- Departed: N07, LINCOLN PARK, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 817 total, 406 in this make and model, 663 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDW, 5 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 19840122000989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840122000989A), Jan 22, 1984: Cessna 310G, Pequannock, NJ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost power for unknown reason on left engine on takeoff. Lost control,impacted ground. Pilots blood showed cocaine.

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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