Accident Details
On February 26, 2011, at 1932 central standard time, a Cessna 310K, registration N3816X, was substantially damaged after colliding with trees and impacting terrain. The accident site was located 2.6 miles north-northeast of the Angleton/Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport (LBX) in Angleton, Texas. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 as a business flight, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. Night visual meteorological conditions (VMC) were present at the time of the accident.
Flight and Weather
The cross-country flight originated from San Angelo (SJT), Texas, at 1810 and was en route to LBX. According to the pilot's wife, the pilot had flown to San Angelo for a funeral and was returning. The pilot could not recall any details of the accident. At 1704, the pilot contacted the Fort Worth Contracted Flight Service Station (FCFSS) and obtained an abbreviated weather briefing for a direct flight from SJT to LBX. The briefing indicated visual meteorological conditions along the route. The LBX terminal forecast (FT) reported a broken ceiling at 1,500 feet, visibility greater than 6 miles, and wind from 170 degrees at 12 knots. After 1900, the ceiling was expected to lower to 1,000 feet with visibility dropping to 4 miles in mist. The pilot subsequently filed an IFR flight plan, and the briefing concluded at 1713.
Investigation
FAA documents show that the airplane proceeded to LBX, where the pilot requested and was cleared for the RNAV GPS runway 17 instrument approach. Radar data from the NTSB's Operational Factors Division revealed that the airplane intercepted the inbound course and the projected 3-degree glideslope, then descended 800 feet before radar contact was lost. The wreckage was discovered in a wooded area approximately 1 mile east of the inbound course. FAA aviation safety inspectors examined the airplane at the accident site and found no pre-impact failures or discrepancies with the airframe, engines, or systems. There was no evidence of an in-flight strike. In the pilot's accident report, he stated no mechanical malfunction or failures. Both engines were later examined and no abnormalities were found that would have precluded normal operation.