Casualties unknown

1994-04-10: Cessna 310J (N310JF) — Ocala, FL

Ocala, FL, US

On April 10, 1994, a Cessna 310J (registration N310JF) was involved in an aviation accident near Ocala, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ASSURE THE GENERATORS WERE ENGAGED BEFORE FLIGHT (FAILED TO FOLLOW THE CHECKLIST). This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During engine start, the pilot did not turn on the generators. Battery power depleted in flight, leading to manual gear extension that was incomplete. On landing, the left main gear collapsed, damaging the airplane.

Incident Details

During engine start, the pilot failed to switch on the generators. As a result, the aircraft relied solely on battery power during flight. The battery eventually became depleted, leaving insufficient electrical power for normal systems.

When the pilot attempted to extend the landing gear, the gear did not deploy fully. The pilot performed a manual extension procedure, but was unable to achieve a full locked position. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing damage to the airplane.

Post-Landing Inspection

After the incident, the airplane was placed on jacks for examination. Using the aircraft's own electrical system and the landing gear motor, the landing gear operated normally, indicating that the gear system itself was functional. The issue was attributed to the lack of electrical power during flight due to the generators not being activated at engine start.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X01156. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.