What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1999-12-10 involved a Cessna 310N, registration N5038Q, at Danville, IL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Aircraft control not being maintained by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. Factors to the accident were the flight instructor's VFR flight into IMC weather conditions, the inadequate preflight planning/preparation conducted by the flight instructor, the dark…

Instructional Flight Crashes South of Airport During Initial Climb (N5038Q)

On December 10, 1999, a Cessna 310N (registration N5038Q) was involved in an aviation accident near Danville, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Aircraft control not being maintained by the flight instructor and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

An instructional flight crashed one statute mile south of an airport during initial climb. A witness reported hearing a whoosh sound and observing an unusual flight path before the aircraft entered clouds. The accident occurred at night in instrument meteorological conditions.

Event Description

An instructional flight crashed approximately one statute mile south of an airport during the initial climb phase. The accident occurred during a dark night. Weather conditions at the time were reported as instrument meteorological conditions, with 2-statute-mile visibility, partial obscuration due to light precipitation, and an overcast ceiling at 1,300 feet.

Witness Account

A witness reported that while the airplane was taking off, he heard a "whoosh sound and thought an engine failure had occurred." The witness stated that the aircraft, from an altitude of 100-200 feet above ground level, started a high rate of descent toward the runway, then recovered into level flight for a few seconds, then began a climb that took the aircraft into the clouds.

Communication

The governing FAA air traffic control center, Champaign approach, reported no communications were received from or transmitted to the accident airplane. Additionally, no flight plan information was filed or requested.

Aircraft Examination

No anomalies were found with the airframe, or its related systems, that could be associated with a preexisting condition. No anomalies were found with either engine, or their related systems, that could be associated with a preexisting condition.

1999-12-10: Cessna 310N (N5038Q) — Danville, IL