# NTSB NYC90FA054: Cessna 310R, N5115J, Burlington, VT, January 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1990, 17:58 local (22:58 UTC)
- Place: Burlington, VT
- Location: 44.4924° N, 73.2395° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Burlington, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4924&lon=-73.2395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90FA054

## Probable cause

FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DESCENT AND CRASHED IN A LAKE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE CESSNA 310 DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR AS IT WS BEING VECTORED TO AN ILS APPROACH AT NIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS. SUBSEUQENTLY IT CRASHED IN LAKE CHAMPLAIN. THE LAST RECORDED ALTITUDE WAS 2100 FT, EXCEPT THE CONTROLLER SAW IT MOMENTARILY AT 1200 FEET PRIOR TO ITS DISAPPEARANCE. COMMUNICATIONS WERE NORMAL. A PORTION OF THE FUSELAGE WAS RECOVERED SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT; HOWEVER, AN EXAM OF THIS PORTION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL WHY THE ACDNT HAD OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5115J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5115J-2014-10-14), registration cancelled 2014-10-14, S/N 310R0235, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R
- 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: 310R0235
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Malcolm French
- Registered owner: Neil F. O'Donohue
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1989, 100 hours before
- Departed: DKK, DUNKIRK, NY
- Destination: BTV, BURLINGTON, VT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BTV, Burlington, runway 15, 7,807 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 4 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTV, 8 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 19900116001259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900116001259A), Jan 16, 1990: Cessna 310R, Burlington, VT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control during vector to ILS approach in dark night and IMC. Crashed into a lake. Heavy snow showers in area.

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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