Accident Overview
On May 30, 2004, a Cessna 310 was on approach when the right engine began to sputter approximately four miles from the runway. The pilot reported attempting to restart the engine, which briefly produced power before sputtering again. The pilot then feathered the right propeller and continued the approach on a single engine.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that as the approach progressed, he realized the airplane could not maintain the glide slope or clear a tree line ahead. He committed to ditching the airplane in the waterway to the right. The pilot retracted the landing gear, and the airplane touched down tail low. The aircraft ditched in the intracoastal waterway two miles short of runway 23 and sank in 12-20 feet of water.
Post-Accident Examination
Examination of the airplane revealed the airframe was intact. Fuel system continuity was established from the tip tanks to the fuel strainer, and the fuel strainer and fuel pump were intact and free of debris. After water was displaced from the engine, fuel system, and magnetos, both engines started and produced power at idle and high RPM settings. No anomalies were observed during the engine run.
Previous Flight Fuel Status
The pilot of a flight on the previous day stated that upon returning to DeKalb-Peachtree Airport, there were about 58-60 gallons of fuel on board the airplane. The airplane was not refueled that evening or prior to the accident flight.
Aircraft Specifications
According to the 1955 Cessna 310 owner's manual, the main fuel wingtip fuel tanks have a capacity of 102 gallons, of which 100 gallons are usable fuel and two gallons are unusable.