What's killing Cessna 310 pilots? - A NTSB dataset review

A deep dive into the accident reports for the Cessna 310. Why? What better way to lower one's own risk than to understand historically what the main causes of fatal accidents are.

[@billinga]

Continued Vmc Loss of control incidents/accidents seem to indicate "low and slow" which is generally associated with Take Off and Landing. Higher bank angles and wing loading can lead to loss of control. Partial answer, brief and execute go-arounds and emergencies(at altitude) with instructor. Great video and thanks for sharing.

[@rnzoli]

"Get your instrument rating" and staying current is not enough. Got to use it as well, already in the flight planning phase. Because even instrument rated + current pilots can be caught out by unexpected VFR--> IMC situations , due to the startle effect, late transition to instruments, instrument frequencies/routing/SID/STAR not set up on the panel, trying to catch up with all that missed preparations in some bad weather/turbulence/icing.... it's a major uphill battle even for the most experienced ones.

[@sonoftherepublic9792]

Excellent information and presentation. These apply to all pilots. Thanks very much for your efforts and message.

[@samuelarduino]

Excellent Review from a practical perspective. Lovely airplane did my Com+ IF in it years ago, nowadays EFIS appr plates on the ipad and VG's on the wings must be a dream to fly, Stay safe !

[@pilotgirl5953]

Thanks for posting. Baron B58 pilot here !

[@cessna310_pilot3]

Great Info!! Thanks for sharing!!

[@thefamilythatfliestogether]

Great video except you missed one category. You forgot the death rate from heart attack after getting the maintenance bill category. 🤣🤣🤣

[@flyboy98]

Yeah we’ve lost hundreds from that! LOL

[@wayneschenk5512]

Flew charter in a 310 in the 90s I would say currency is a big one.

[@gorgly123]

I keep a spreadsheet to average fuel burn for all my flights. I use that for determining how much fuel to carry since it is higher than book numbers. Also, I always plan at least 1 hour of reserve fuel minimum.

[@jerrymarotta733]

Hello Jason, impressive presentation very accurate based on your research into the subject matter as far as the stall spin accidents can be summed up by saying most like twin engines when one engine fails. The remaining engine will only take you to the scene of the accident if you don’t roll it over on its back along the way.

[@petediaz9310]

Good stuff, looks like Jim in the sim with you

[@flyboy98]

It was. He is a great, patient instructor. I enjoyed my course with him.

[@johnfitzpatrick2469]

G, day Jason from Sydney Australia.
I appreciate your statistics and commentary on the contributing factors. I am surprised about icing with the improvement and available technology; such as Foreflight and doplar radar and weather forecast apps.
Flying into low temperature and clouds is just irresponsible and dangerous.
I wish the VFR into IMC stats were lowering: proficiency I guess.
🌏🇭🇲

[@ronwade5646]

The 310 is old technology that needs regular upgrades, seriously.

[@zoozolplexOne]

Interesting !!!

[@flyerguy4173]

Overall, a good video. I question your assumptions on Vmc crashes attributable to retired airline pilots. Is the data on that marker showing highly experienced pilots being the victims? I would hypothesize maybe the opposite - low time pilots with more money than skill augering in. I am absolutely amazed at the number of pilots with very low time flying exceptionally high performance aircraft, with nothing more required than a quick checkout and bookoo bucks to cover the insurance premiums.

[@flyboy98]

No I agree…I question my assumptions as well. It was, as mentioned, just a guess. Two of the reports I recall were high time pilots. Not all of the older reports listed flight time. There are for sure many ‘more money that sense’ accidents out there. I think a Malibu went down recently with a very low time pilot in control. Thanks for the comment!

[@Mikinct]

Great video!
I believe it's a "I got my pilots license" so training is done mindset.
Like when they received their drivers license. Nobody goes back no matter what age to take their test over again.
It's the folks that get their license & occasionally flies & gets behind the plane or into weather they aren't ready for.
Not sure if you've seen this, thought it could he beneficial.
Loss of engine drill
th-cam.com/video/L_KGu2CFUU4/w-d-xo.html
VMC Drill
th-cam.com/video/VcEg39NmxY4/w-d-xo.html

[@jimmcnally1819]

Can you help me locate a particular 310 crash? Chuck was a friend but I forget his last name. He was flying between Temple bar Arizona and back home to Van Nuys when he crashed during a winter storm into the mountains north of San Fernando Valley. I think it was between 1990 and 2000. Does that sound familiar? Thank you in advance. I was his aircraft mechanic back in the late 70s on his flying flying machine.

[@flyboy98]

Hi Jim, the following N-numbers were fatal 310 crashes in California between 1990 ansd 2000: N5442A, N310HJ, N6780T, N310RR, and N711CG. Any of those ring a bell? The database doesn't list the deceased pilot's name.

[@MasterCarguy44-pk2dq]

If your a flatland pilot (non mountains), even on a warm day, no reason a maintained small twin can maintain at least 250 ft/min VMC. And many older pilots (65+) flying twins, should be with a second pilot/friend no matter the skills/hours/background.

[@overcastfriday81]

If you get into mountains with strong winds, you sometimes need jet engines to avoid being slammed into a mountain. I can easily imagine a pilot who is heavily loaded or non turbocharged meeting his demise this way. To avoid it you need a large margin of caution. It would make a pilot look like a dummy crashing a perfectly good plane with cfit.

[@lawrencecarlson2425]

I think you should normalize your statists with 310 fleet only. Don't want to be skewed!

[@richardmooremoore4127]

Gravity coupled with no flying.