On May 1, 1991, a Cessna 310D (registration N6632T) operated by U.s. Air Salvage was involved in an aviation accident near Christiansburg, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE. CONTRIBUTING WAS AN OBSTRUCTED AIR FILTER. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A twin-engine aircraft on its first flight in two years experienced a right engine failure due to an obstructed air filter, resulting in a forced landing on a highway where it struck a truck.
Incident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft, on its first flight in approximately two years, experienced a mechanical issue while en route to a destination where it was to be used for salvage operations. According to the pilot, the right engine began running rough before losing total power. Unable to maintain altitude on the remaining engine, the pilot executed a forced landing on a highway. During the landing, the aircraft struck a truck.
Examination Findings
Post-incident examination of the right engine revealed that the air filter was obstructed. No other mechanical anomalies were reported. The aircraft had been grounded for an extended period prior to this flight.
Operational Context
The flight was intended to relocate the aircraft for salvage use. The pilot reported that the engine failure occurred during the en route phase. The forced landing on the highway resulted in a collision with a vehicle.