What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1993-01-23 involved a Cessna 310L, registration N3303X, operated by Flat Iron Aviation, at Greeley, CO.

Training Flight Damaged During Go-Around and Emergency Landing (N3303X)

On January 23, 1993, a Cessna 310L (registration N3303X) operated by Flat Iron Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Greeley, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The student failed to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing phase after conducting a simulated single-engine approach. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

During a simulated single-engine approach, a student pilot lost control. The instructor took over, but the aircraft struck snow banks during a go-around, damaging landing gear and propellers. After burning fuel for nearly three hours, an emergency landing caused further damage.

Accident Sequence

During the landing phase of a training flight, the student pilot was conducting a simulated single-engine approach. The student failed to maintain control of the aircraft, prompting the instructor to take over. While attempting a go-around, the aircraft struck several snow banks. The impact resulted in damage to all three landing gear assemblies and both propellers. Despite the damage, the aircraft became airborne.

Fuel Burn and Emergency Landing

Following the collision with the snow banks, the crew orbited the aircraft for approximately two hours and fifty minutes to burn off fuel. An emergency landing was then executed. During this landing, the aircraft sustained additional damage, including to the left tip tank, the nose section, and the main fuselage.

Damage Assessment

The initial contact with the snow banks caused damage to all three landing gear and both propellers. The subsequent emergency landing damaged the left tip tank, nose section, and main fuselage.

Probable cause

The student failed to maintain control of the aircraft during the landing phase after conducting a simulated single-engine approach.

1993-01-23: Cessna 310L (N3303X) — Flat Iron Aviation — Greeley, CO