History of Flight
On August 4, 2019, at 1650 central daylight time, a Cessna 310I airplane, N310QA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near De Queen, Arkansas. The commercial pilot was seriously injured, and the private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.
FAA radar data showed the airplane departed from J Lynn Helms Sevier County Airport (DEQ) about 1603. It tracked southeast for about 6 miles, then turned left and proceeded northeast past Dierks, Arkansas. At 1614, the transponder indicated 2,500 ft msl at 143 knots. At 1621, it made a descending 270° clockwise turn, descending to 1,100 ft msl before climbing to about 2,200 ft msl, then flew northwest and turned southwest. It then entered a descending turn, and radar track data were lost at 1648.
Data from an onboard GPS unit indicated takeoff at 1603 and a maximum airspeed of 173 knots during maneuvering. At 1646, the airplane began a gradual descent from 2,000 ft msl while turning south. Rather than continue a left turn toward DEQ, it made a descending, right 270° turn, during which airspeed gradually decreased. The airplane continued toward the airport for about 1.7 miles; recorded airspeed at 1650:31 was 73 knots and at 1650:34 was 53 knots. The published stall speed with landing gear and flaps retracted and 0° of bank was 83 knots.
Personnel Information
The left-seat pilot held a commercial pilot certificate and reported 3,464 total hours of flight experience on his most recent FAA medical application. He sustained serious injuries and did not recall the accident according to his spouse.
The right-seat pilot held a private pilot certificate and reported 6,000 total hours on his most recent medical application.
Aircraft Information
FAA records indicated no major repairs or modifications after March 2003. The last annual inspection was completed on October 3, 2018, with no recorded work after that date.
Meteorological Information
Weather observations from DEQ indicated visual flight rules conditions with variable surface wind of 5 knots or less. Upper air soundings showed an unstable environment conducive to multicell rain showers or thunderstorms, with possible microburst wind speeds up to 55 knots. Satellite imagery captured a line of cumuliform clouds moving north to south with cloud cover above the accident site at the accident time. Doppler radar recorded an area of dissipating precipitation about 1–2 miles north of the site. Graphical Forecasts for Aviation products indicated visual flight rules with scattered thunderstorms and surface wind from the north at 5 knots. No active AIRMET or SIGMET advisories were valid for the area. There was no record of either pilot receiving a formal weather briefing.
FAA Advisory Circular AC00-6B states that downbursts and microbursts are associated with rain showers and thunderstorm activity and create hazards for aviation.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The airplane impacted a pasture less than a mile south of DEQ. Initial impact was consistent with the right wing striking the ground, followed by the fuselage. A small debris field extended along a 106° heading for about 145 ft. The main wreckage came to rest on a 290° heading. A postimpact fire burned a portion of the field and some of the airplane's fuel system.
The landing gear and flaps were found retracted. Examination of the airframe revealed no pre-impact anomalies. Both engines were disassembled and showed no anomalies precluding normal operation.
Medical and Pathological Information
The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on the private pilot. Testing was positive for diphenhydramine, tamsulosin, sildenafil, and metoprolol. On his most recent FAA medical application, the pilot reported no illnesses and no use of medications. Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine with a warning that it may impair mental and physical ability to perform hazardous tasks; FAA guidance recommends a 60-hour post-dose observation time before flying.