On January 16, 1990, a Cessna 310R (registration N5115J) operated by Malcolm French was involved in an aviation accident near Burlington, VT. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DESCENT AND CRASHED IN A LAKE. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Cessna 310 vanished from radar while being vectored for an ILS approach at night in IMC conditions. The aircraft subsequently crashed into Lake Champlain. Portions of the fuselage were recovered months later, but examination did not reveal why the accident occurred.
Incident
While being vectored to an instrument landing system (ILS) approach at night in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), a Cessna 310 disappeared from radar. The last recorded altitude was 2,100 feet; however, the controller observed the aircraft momentarily at 1,200 feet prior to its disappearance. Communications between the aircraft and air traffic control were normal throughout the sequence.
Crash and Recovery
The aircraft subsequently crashed into Lake Champlain. Several months after the accident, a portion of the fuselage was recovered from the lake. Investigators examined this section of the wreckage but were unable to determine why the accident occurred.
Investigation
The examination of the recovered fuselage portion did not reveal any mechanical or structural anomalies that could explain the loss of the aircraft. No other wreckage or components were recovered. The cause of the accident remains undetermined.