Cessna 310 Shuts Down Both Mills -- Short Of The Runway

Things get VERY distracting when an aircraft system problem escalates to an unplanned landing. Under such circumstances, once has to react carefully and swiftly... though sometimes the concept of swiftly and carefully can conflict with each other. In this case, a Twin Cessna pilot shut down both engines proper to landing with the knowledge that he had a nose gear problem -- while obviously trying to save the engines. However; shutting both mills down a little early put the bird down short of the runway... and will necessitate an interesting conversation with the Feds. Thankfully, while the bird is bent, the pilot is not.

NTSB Identification: WPR11LA092
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, January 09, 2011 in Lancaster, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 310C, registration: N1755H
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 9, 2011, about 0750 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.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that the nose landing gear failed to fully retract after a practice approach to the Palmdale Regional Airport, Palmdale, California. The pilot diverted to Lancaster with the intent of landing on runway 24. The pilot stated that on final approach to the runway he shutdown both engines. Subsequently, the airplane's sink rate increased and the pilot inadvertently landed short of the intended runway.

Cessna 310 File Photo

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov