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Aborted Takeoff Practice Results in Runway Excursion and Nose Gear Collapse (N3020L)

Hutchinson, KS, US

On March 31, 1998, a Cessna 310J (registration N3020L) was involved in an aviation accident near Hutchinson, KS. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the flight instructor's inadequate supervision by failing to ensure that the right throttle had been retarded before re-advancing the right mixture control, which resulted in a loss of directional control, an encounter with soft terrain, and damage to the… 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During an aborted takeoff drill with a simulated right engine power loss, the right engine surged after the mixture was re-advanced, causing the airplane to veer off the runway and collapse the nose gear.

Accident Description

A flight instructor and a student pilot were practicing an aborted takeoff following a simulated loss of power in the right engine. The student received a briefing on the procedure and was informed that the right engine would be used for the simulation. During the takeoff roll at 50 mph, the instructor simulated the power loss by reducing the mixture for that engine. The instructor reported that the student appeared to initiate the correct aborted takeoff sequence by retarding both throttles to idle.

After completing the simulated power loss and aborted takeoff, the instructor re-advanced the right engine mixture control. The right engine then surged with power, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway into soft grass. The nose gear subsequently collapsed.

Aftermath

Following the accident, the instructor discovered that the student had not retarded the right throttle during the aborted takeoff. The instructor had believed the student fully retarded both throttles, but the right throttle remained advanced.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09644. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.