# NTSB NYC92FA067: Cessna 310K, N6928L, Unionville, PA, February 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 24, 1992, 20:08 local (Feb 25, 1992, 01:08 UTC)
- Place: Unionville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.910675, -77.759887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9107&lon=-77.7599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA067
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA067

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT FOLLOW THE PUBLISHED IFR PROCEDURES AND ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO DESCEND TO AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S APPREHENSION DUE TO THE LOW FUEL STATE, THE DARK NIGHT, ADVERSE WEATHER, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, circling (ifr)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A VOR-B APPROACH THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED RISING TERRAIN 2.5 MI FROM THE AIRPORT, AT 1,785 FT MSL. THE CRASH SITE WAS IN LINE WITH THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE, AT A POINT ON THE APPROACH PROFILE WHERE THE MINIMUM ALTITUDE IS 2,520 FT. THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST REFUELED ON 2/18; ESTIMATED FLYING TIME SINCE THEN WAS 5.5 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6928L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6928L-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 310K0028, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K
- Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310K-0028
- Airframe hours: 5877
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-VO 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Centre Airline Inc.
- Registered owner: Centre Airline Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, February 1, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: JST, JOHNSTOWN, PA
- Destination: UNV, STATE COLLEGE, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: UNV, University Park, runway 6, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UNV, 2 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 19920224040669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920224040669A), Feb 24, 1992: Cessna 310K, State College, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Impacted rising terrain at night on VOR approach. Descended below mda.

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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