Cessna 310K N366J

Summary

On 5 June 1998 at about 20:15 local time, a Cessna 310K registered N366J was involved in an accident near Opa-Locka, Florida, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

5 June 1998 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Opa-Locka, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Opa-Locka (OPF)

Coordinates

25.9091, -80.2692

Aircraft

Cessna 310K

Registration

N366J

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Tampa

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA98LA192

Nobody was injured.

The fuel leak due to improper installation of the left auxiliary fuel tank by maintenance personnel. Also, inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by maintenance personnel for failure to identify the missing screw from the adel clamp resulting in chafing of the positive battery cable. Also, operation of the airplane by the owner with known deficiencies in equipment.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During takeoff an explosion inside the left wing resulted in a short duration fire. The flight continued and landed uneventfully. The upper and lower wing skins were displaced and fire damage was noted aft of the battery box. The positive battery cable was chafing against an open adel clamp located near the battery box; the PK screw was not in place. Arching was noted on the battery cable. Testing of the left auxiliary fuel tank revealed seepage from the fuel tank vent line. The fuel tank was not properly secured inside the wing. Damage to the external portion of the auxiliary fuel tank near the vent line was noted. Previous fuel seepage from the left wing auxiliary fuel tank was evident in the form of damage on the ground beneath the left wing area greater than damage to the ground beneath the right wing area. Also, a wax type residue was found on the lower wing skin in the area of the fuel seepage. The service manual indicates to check electrical cables for condition every 100 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.