# NTSB WPR10LA349: Cessna 310K, N6909L, El Monte, CA, July 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2010, 08:55 local (15:55 UTC) - Place: El Monte, CA - Coordinates: 34.08472, -118.034164 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0847&lon=-118.0342&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 76630 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10LA349 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76630/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76630 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10LA349 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff ground roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Cessna 310K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2074228), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting takeoffs and landings during a post-annual-inspection maintenance test flight. After touchdown, he had retracted the flaps and increased power when the airplane pulled to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and reduced power to idle; however, the airplane continued to the right and exited the runway onto the soft ground. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. Examination of the airplane revealed no abnormalities with the engine or flight control systems that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2010, about 0855 Pacific daylight time (PDT), a Cessna 310K, N6909L, exited the side of the runway during an aborted takeoff at El Monte Airport (EMT), El Monte, California. Lightning Aircraft Corporation was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was uninjured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the right horizontal stabilizer. The local personal flight departed El Monte about 0845. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was conducting touch-and-go landings during a post annual maintenance flight. The pilot reported that after touchdown, he retracted the flaps and increased power when the airplane pulled to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and reduced power to idle; the airplane continued to the right and exited the runway onto the soft ground. Subsequently, the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid to a stop. A review of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records revealed that the pilot holds a private pilot certificate in single-engine land aircraft. The pilot’s flight logbook indicated a multi-engine endorsement for solo flight, which was issued on December 24, 1984. The pilot reported to the FAA inspector-in-charge (IIC) that he had 2,500 total hours of flight time, and about 1,200 hours in the airplane make and model involved in the accident. In the past year, the pilot flew 4 hours in the Cessna 310. An inspection of the airplane by FAA maintenance inspectors noted no engine or flight control system abnormalities. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6909L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6909L-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 310K0009, 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: 310K0009 - Engines: CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lightning Aircraft Corp - Registered owner: Lightning Aircraft Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 11, 2010 - Departed: EMT, El Monte, CA - Destination: EMT, El Monte, CA - Airport: EMT, El Monte Airport, runway 19, 3,995 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 29, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 2,500 total, 1,200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 13 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: EMT ## 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 20100714042279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100714042279A), Jul 14, 2010: Cessna 310K, El Monte, CA, Substantial damage. Airman landed and was attempting his first touch and go. He stated the left engine was "right on" and it seemed the right engine was lagging. Airman stated… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 18, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76630. 658 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 520 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347182&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Multi-engine Solo Endorsement - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 39 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Multi-engine%20Solo%20Endorsement%20-%20Pilot-Redacted.PDF - Record of Investigation - FAA Records (item 3, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Investigation%20-%20FAA%20Records-Master.PDF - Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 (item 4, .PDF, 49 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40347196&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Release%20of%20Aircraft%20Wreckage,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.15-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.