Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 310 near Caryville, FL — 2022-05-23

Final reportERA22LA235
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Date
2022-05-23
Location
Caryville, FL, USA
Aircraft
CESSNA 310
Registration
N310DC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

An in-flight loss of engine power on both engines for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that preflight and ground operations were normal for the cross-country flight and all fuel tanks were filled to capacity. Several minutes after departure, at 5,800 ft mean sea level, the left engine lost power. He initiated the emergency checklist procedures and informed air traffic control. He requested right turns only and a return to the departure airport. Shortly thereafter, the right engine lost power. He attempted to change to the auxiliary fuel tanks; however, there was no response from the engines. He was unable to glide to an airport, so he maintained best glide speed and performed a forced landing with the landing gear retracted to a nearby farm field. After touchdown, the airplane collided with a barbed-wire fence and came to a stop in an open farm pasture. A postaccident fire ensued, which consumed the outboard and center sections of the left wing. An examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of a fuel system malfunction or anomaly. Although the left-side fuel system was heavily damaged by the postaccident fire, the remaining components operated normally, and all fuel lines and filters were unobstructed. Fuel that was recovered was tested for possible contamination (misfueling) with Jet A; no Jet A was found in the fuel system. Examination of both engines revealed no malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power on both engines was not determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Fuel management
First missed decision gate
Proper fuel management and checks before departure could have prevented the loss of engine power.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents10

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