On January 23, 2000, a Cessna 310F (registration N5801X) operated by David John Rodius was involved in an aviation accident near Boulder City, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The dual student's improper use of the throttles; the flight instructor's inadequate supervision; and the delayed remedial action by the flight instructor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a local instructional flight, a student pilot on final approach added power to only the right engine, causing the aircraft to yaw off the runway. The instructor recovered and landed, but post-flight inspection revealed wrinkles in the left wing.
Incident Overview
A flight instructor and a student pilot, accompanied by passengers, were conducting a local area instructional flight. As the student pilot flew the final approach to the runway at approximately 50 feet above ground level, the flight instructor observed that the airplane's descent rate was excessively high. The instructor instructed the student to add power. However, the student added power only to the right engine.
Instructor Intervention
The flight instructor then took over the controls as the airplane yawed off the runway by approximately one wingspan's length. The instructor maneuvered the aircraft back to about 20 feet above ground level, applied a crab, and flew the airplane back to a touchdown on the runway.
Post-Flight Inspection
Following the flight, a post-flight inspection revealed wrinkles in the left wing of the airplane. No other damage was reported in the inspection.