# NTSB SEA91LA231: Cessna 310F, N6788X, Corvallis, OR, September 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Corvallis, OR
- Coordinates: 44.460254, -123.340316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4603&lon=-123.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA231

## Probable cause

A DISCONNECTED AIR INDUCTION LINE, AND THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO EXECUTE A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT, HIS OVERALL LACK OF FAMILIARITY AND LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE AIRCRAFT WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TAKEOFF THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH ENGINE WAS AFFECTED.  HE CHOSE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND THEN EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED AS THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A DITCH. SUBSEQUENT TEST RUN OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED A DISCONNECTED AIR INDUCTION LINE WITH DEGRADED PERFORMANCE ABOVE 60% POWER. THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER BLADES EXHIBITED AFTWARD TIP CURL AND POLISHING. THE PILOT REPORTED ONLY 35 HOURS OF TOTAL MULTI-ENGINE FLIGHT TIME OF WHICH ONLY 3 HOURS WERE IN THE CESSNA 310 AND NO CESSNA 310 FLIGHT TIME WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS.

## 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - 1 engine
  - induction air control/system - disconnected (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6788X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6788X-1997-08-12), registration cancelled 1997-08-12, S/N 3100088 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310F
- Registry model: [Cessna 310F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310f) (registry code 2074216) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3100088
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. Niendorf
- Registered owner: John R. Niendorf
- Destination: S07, BEND, OR
- Airport: CVO, Corvallis Muni., runway 35, 5,065 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 513 total, 3 in this make and model, 442 as pilot in command, 152 in the last 90 days, 79 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910902037539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037539A), Sep 2, 1991: Cessna 310F, Corvallis, OR, Substantial damage. Power loss left engine on takeoff. Was unable to detect which engine, did not feather. Air intake disconnected.

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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