History of the Flight
On 7 April 2003, a pilot/owner arrived at Sandtoft Airfield, Humberside, where his Cessna 310J (N1158V) was hangared near the south-western end of Runway 05. After a friend landed on Runway 23, the pilot taxied the aircraft from the hangar to holding point Charlie. He then entered Runway 05 and taxied to holding point Alpha, making a 180° left turn to face the runway. The pilot communicated with his friend via radio, stating his intention for a 30-minute local flight. He declined an invitation to join, and the pilot backtracked Runway 05 to holding point Charlie to clear the runway for a landing aircraft. After completing power checks, he lined up on Runway 05.
The aircraft accelerated normally and lifted off at the usual position. A security guard recorded the takeoff with a video camera until the aircraft disappeared behind trees. Two witnesses near the control tower noticed the main door on the right side had opened during the takeoff and was moving in the slipstream. This was confirmed by the video recording. Another witness, a pilot on a nearby motorway, observed the aircraft's speed as very low and expressed concern.
The aircraft climbed away and performed a normal left climbing turn, rolling wings level on what would have been the crosswind leg of the left-hand circuit. Immediately after, it entered a steeply banked turn with a rapid roll rate, a wing dropped, and the nose pointed vertically down. Some witnesses reported the left wing dropped, others the right. One witness noted the steep left turn was corrected to wings level, then the right wing dropped. The aircraft entered a near vertical dive from about 400 feet and struck the ground nose first. A post-crash fire ensued, extinguished by local fire services within 15 minutes. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The Cessna 310J is a twin-engine low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear. It is equipped with wing tip fuel tanks and auxiliary tanks in each wing. Flying controls are conventional, operated by cables, push rods, and bellcranks. The cabin entry door is forward on the right side, hinged at the forward edge, and secured at four points via internal and external handles. The aircraft had recently been fitted with an STEC System 30 autopilot, controlling pitch and roll with modes including stabilizer, heading, and altitude hold.
The pilot, aged 59, held a UK Private Pilot's Licence obtained in June 1998. He commenced multi-engine training on a Cessna 310 in December 1999, completing his rating in January 2000. His total flying experience was 302 hours, with 84 hours on type; 6.5 hours in the last 90 days and 5.5 hours in the last 28 days. His most recent Certificate of Revalidation was completed on 30 March 2003, and he had recently conducted a Licence Proficiency Check.
Accident Site and Wreckage Examination
The aircraft impacted in a near vertical (90°) attitude. The right wing contacted first, followed by the fuselage; the tail detached and fell forward over the cockpit. Both wing tip fuel tanks and auxiliary tanks ruptured, resulting in a significant post-crash fire that consumed most of the aircraft. The landing gear was found extended, and flaps were set around 10°. The left control yoke was in full left aileron position; the right yoke shaft was bent upward, indicating full up elevator at impact. The left yoke shaft had fractured in bending. Both engines were buried in the ground up to the forward cylinders.
The cabin entry door was found lying to the right of the fuselage, damaged by fire but without physical distortion. The lower doorframe on the fuselage was severely disrupted by impact. The pilot was found in a prone position across the instrument panel, throttle quadrant, and right seat, with legs in the left foot well. His harness had burned away, but the metal buckle remained attached to the lap strap and diagonal fittings.
Medical Information
Post-mortem examination revealed no evidence of natural disease, alcohol, drugs, or toxic substances that could have caused or contributed to the accident. The injuries were consistent with sudden deceleration in a non-survivable impact.
Conclusion
It was concluded that the pilot had probably been trying to close the door when he lost control of the aircraft.