Cessna 310Q N69945

Summary

On 28 September 1999 at about 10:50 local time, a Cessna 310Q registered N69945 was involved in an accident near Salisbury, Maryland, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 September 1999 at 10:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Salisbury, Maryland, United States

Nearest airport

Salisbury/Wicomico Region (SBY)

Coordinates

38.3700, -75.5794

Aircraft

Cessna 310Q

Registration

N69945

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter

Purpose of flight

Unknown

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Wilkes-Barre

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dawn

NTSB number

IAD99FA070

4 people were seriously injured.

The improper installation of the #2 cylinder that resulted in a fractured crankshaft and a total loss of engine power. Factors in the accident were the premature deployment of the landing gear and flaps by the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

After takeoff, the right engine 'started surging' and the pilot turned back toward the departure airport. He configured the airplane for landing, and then attempted to secure the right engine. The engine seized, and the propeller stopped. The airplane was unable to maintain altitude sufficient to clear trees at the approach end of the landing runway, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field approximately 1 mile short of the airport. The #2 cylinder of the right engine was replaced 160 aircraft hours prior to the accident. Examination of the right engine revealed the crankshaft was broken between the #2 main bearing journal and the #3 connecting rod journal. The mating surfaces of both crankcase halves, in the area of the #2 and #3 main bearing saddles, displayed fretting across the entire face surface. Examination of the fracture surfaces revealed that the damage was consistent with bearing shifting and rubbing. A warning published in the manufacturer's cylinder installation instructions stated: 'Failure to torque through bolt nuts on both sides of the engine can result in a loss of main bearing crush, main bearing shift and engine failure.' According to the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Engine Inoperative Approach And Landing: '...neither full flaps nor the landing gear should be extended until the landing is assured.'

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.