# NTSB WPR11LA092: Cessna 310C, N1755H, Lancaster, CA, January 9, 2011

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 2011, 07:51 local (15:51 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.740833, -118.218612 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7408&lon=-118.2186&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 20, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA Van Nuys FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 78134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78134/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78134
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA092

## Probable cause

The pilot did not maintain an appropriate descent profile during the approach. Contributing to the accident was that the pilot did not follow checklist procedures.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Landing gear system: nose/tail landing gear](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction; cases with it: [Cessna 310C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md?model=2074210), [All aircraft, 185 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023220/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2074210), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 310C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=2074210), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 310C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2074210), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Cessna 310C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=2074210), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 310C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=2074210), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the nose landing gear failed to fully retract after a practice approach and that he diverted to a nearby airport with the intent of landing. After completing the emergency procedures checklist, and about 1/4 mile from the intended runway with the main gear down and the nose gear in the mid-range position, the pilot placed the mixture levers in the idle cut-off position and the propeller levers to feather. After doing so, the airplane’s descent rate increased and the pilot inadvertently landed 200 feet short of the intended runway, substantially damaging the forward fuselage and wings. The Emergency Procedures checklist for the accident airplane indicated, in part, that the pilot should land the airplane prior to placing the mixture levers to the idle cut-off position. When the pilot placed the mixture levers to the cut-off position prior to landing with a reported 23 knot headwind, the airplane’s descent profile likely increased prior to reaching the intended runway and the airplane landed short of the runway. The checklist does not make reference to the propeller levers. After a postaccident examination of the nose landing gear, the pilot reported that the centering roller mechanism was missing and most likely separated during the flight, resulting in the nose gear wheel assembly not centering during retraction, which jammed the wheel assembly in the wheel well.

## Factual narrative

On January 9, 2011, about 0751 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 310C, N1755H, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain near the approach end of runway 24 at the General Wm J Fox Airfield (KWJF), Lancaster, California. The airplane was owned by the pilot and operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight that originated from Daggett, California, at 0707. In a written report to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the pilot reported that the nose landing gear failed to fully retract after a practice approach to the Palmdale Regional Airport, Palmdale, California. The pilot diverted to a nearby airport in Lancaster, with the intent of landing on runway 24. The pilot stated that he performed the “LANDING WITH DEFECTIVE NOSE GEAR” procedures, as indicated in the owner’s manual; however, the nose gear remained in a mid-range position. Approximately 1/4 mile from the intended runway, with the main gear down and the nose gear in the mid range position, the pilot placed the mixture levers in the “cut-off” position and the propeller levers to “feather.” The pilot reported that after doing so, the “the aim point rapidly shifted to approximately 500 feet short of the runway” and he inadvertently landed approximately 200 feet short of the paved surface. Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the forward fuselage and wings. A secondary postaccident examination of the airplane, by the pilot, revealed that the nose landing gear centering roller mechanism was missing and most likely separated during the flight. This, according to the pilot, resulted in the nose gear wheel assembly not centering during retraction which jammed the wheel assembly in the wheel well. He stated that the nose gear continued to cycle when it jammed, and ultimately separated the primary landing gear push-pull tube from the forward rod end, rendering the gear inoperative. It was not determined why the missing nose landing gear centering mechanism separated from the airframe in-flight. The Emergency Procedures checklist for the accident airplane, LANDING WITH DEFECTIVE NOSE GEAR, indicated, in part, to land the airplane prior to placing the mixture levers to the idle cut-off position. The checklist does not make reference to the propeller levers. The pilot reported that the wind, during the of the accident, was from 260 degrees at 23 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1755H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1755H-2011-03-11), registration cancelled 2011-03-11, S/N 35855, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310C
- Registry model: [Cessna 310C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310c) (registry code 2074210) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 35855
- Airframe hours: 5980
- Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating; CONT MOTOR I0-470 SERIES 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bush John L
- Registered owner: Bush John L
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 5, 2010, 90 hours before
- Departed: KDAG, Barstow-Daggett, CA
- Destination: KWJF, Lancaster, CA
- Airport: KWJF, General Wm J Fox Airfield, runway 24, 7,201 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 12,488 total, 336 in this make and model, 9,522 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 23 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20110109000289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110109000289A), Jan 9, 2011: Cessna 310C, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. On 01/09/2011 at 0747, N1755H experienced a landing gear problem during the retract cycle at air force base plant 42. N1755H declared an emergency to fox field…

## Other investigations on N1755H (2)

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.

- [NTSB LAX96LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA034), Oct 30, 1995: Cessna 310C (N1755H), Boulder City, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper aircraft handling during touchdown which resulted in the right wing and horizontal stabilizer dragging on the runway. The poorly planned landing approach was a factor.
- [NTSB FTW74AF073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW74AF073), Apr 12, 1974: Cessna 310C (N1755H), Lubbock, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 15, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78134. 2.9 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363393&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- 1959 Cessna 310C Emergency Procedures (item 2, .PDF, 491 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363521&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=1959%20Cessna%20310C%20Emergency%20Procedures-Master.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.

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