Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 310B near Mancelona, MI — 2012-11-21

Final reportCEN13FA069
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Date
2012-11-21
Location
Mancelona, MI, USA
Airport
4Y4
Aircraft
CESSNA 310B
Registration
N5419A
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a loss of right engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination revealed no preimpact malfunction or anomaly that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB narrative

A witness saw the airplane depart, however the accident was unobserved. The airplane was discovered 2 days later in a heavily wooded area about 1 mile from the departure end of the runway and about 3/4 mile to the right of the extended runway centerline. The airplane was almost inverted when it impacted the ground. Normal traffic pattern direction at the uncontrolled airport was to the left for this runway and the pilot was known to follow this requirement closely. The accident site's location relative to the departure runway centerline and the airplane's nearly inverted attitude at impact were both consistent with the pilot's failure to maintain a minimum control airspeed and a subsequent loss of control roll to the right. The right fuel boost pump switch was found in the "on" position, whereas the left boost pump switch was found in the "off" position. Although the right fuel boost pump switch may have moved due to impact, the as-found position was consistent with the pilot attempting to correct for a loss of right engine power during takeoff. Examination of the airframe, engine, and propeller did not reveal any anomalies associated with a preimpact failure or malfunction.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured adequate fuel in both main tanks before departure.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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