On August 20, 1993, a Cessna 310N (registration N5005Q) operated by Jcr Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Rockford, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: an arcing electrical relay (solenoid) and subsequent overheating/fire of the starter wiring and adjacent fuel lines. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft on an IFR flight from Rockford lost contact three minutes after takeoff. Witnesses saw it turn back and descend into the ground, with one reporting fire before impact. Investigation found overheated right engine starter and severe arcing in the solenoid.
Accident Overview
An aircraft departed Rockford Regional Airport on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan. Three minutes after takeoff, departure control lost contact with the airplane. Witnesses approximately four miles southeast of the airport observed the airplane turn back toward the airport and then descend sharply into the ground. One witness reported seeing the airplane on fire before ground impact.
Investigation Findings
The investigation revealed damage to the right engine starter system. All insulation was burned off the right engine starter wire, and the starter had overheated significantly. The right engine starter solenoid exhibited evidence of severe arcing. The starter cable runs from the starter solenoid, located in the left engine nacelle, to the starter on the right side of the aircraft. The cable is routed along the front wing spar fuselage carry-through, adjacent to the crossfeed fuel lines for both engines. The front spar carry-through was completely missing, and the most intense area of the fire was in the cockpit area.
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