# NTSB NYC87LA256: Cessna 310N, N4166Q, Williamsport, PA, September 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1987, 09:52 local (13:52 UTC)
- Place: Williamsport, PA
- Coordinates: 41.229461, -77.030273 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2295&lon=-77.0303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA256
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA256

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, standing - starting engine(s)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,strainer - leak (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - fire (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING, THE CARGO WAS UNLOADED & THE ACFT WAS PREPARED FOR DEPARTURE. THE PLT STATED THE PREFLIGHT WAS NORMAL & SATISFACTORY. HE RPRTD THAT WHEN THE LEFT ENG WAS STARTED, HE HEARD A LOUD 'POP' & OBSERVED 'FLAME TRACES AND SMOKE.' HE IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE ENG & EXITED THE ACFT TO INVESTIGATE. HE FOUND THAT ABOUT 4' OF THE OUTBOARD, LEADING EDGE SECTION OF THE LEFT WING HAD EXPLODED & BUCKLED. HE STATED THAT FLAMES & SMOKE WERE VISIBLE & IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED. THE PLT RPRTD THE LEFT FUEL STRAINER CORK GASKET WAS FAULTY. DRY FUEL STAINS WERE FOUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE LEFT WING, LEFT FLAP, LEFT ENG NACELLE & LEFT LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4166Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4166Q), registered now, S/N 310N-0066 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310N
- Registry model: [Cessna 310N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310n) (registry code 2074234) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310N-0076
- Airframe hours: 7358
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Aero Taxi
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1987, 48 hours before
- Departed: IPT
- Destination: PHL, PHILADELPHIA, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: IPT, Williamsport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,936 total, 335 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 172 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

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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