Cessna 310 Struck Powerlines, The Power Pole, Then Impacted The Ground

The NTSB has issued its preliminary report on the Cessna 310 which went down in Palo Alto, CA, which killed the three persons on board. The aircraft went down in a residential area, causing widespread power outages and igniting at least two home fires.

NTSB Identification: WPR10FA136
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in Palo Alto, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 310R, registration: N5225J
Injuries: 3 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On February 17, 2010, about 0754 PST, a Cessna 310R airplane, N5225J, was destroyed when it impacted multiple residential structures and terrain following an in-flight collision with power lines and a power line tower. The collision occurred shortly after takeoff from the Palo Alto Airport (PAO), East Palo Alto, California. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were killed. There were no reported ground injuries. The airplane was registered to Air Unique Inc., Santa Clara, California, and operated by the pilot as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed for the cross-country flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of Hawthorne, California.

Multiple witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported observing portions of the accident sequence. One witness, who was walking on a levee near the accident site reported that she observed an airplane “suddenly appear from the fog” left of her position. The witness stated that she continued to watch the airplane fly in a level or slightly nose up attitude from her left to her right at a low altitude until it impacted power lines shortly after.

File Photo

Examination of the accident site revealed that the airplane struck power lines and a power line tower about 50 feet above ground level. Various portions of wreckage debris, power lines, and power line tower structure were scattered throughout the wreckage debris path. The wreckage debris path was measured on a southwesterly heading for approximately 900 feet from the first identified point of contact (FIPC) to the main wreckage. All major structural components of the airplane were located within the wreckage debris path. A post-crash fire and wreckage debris damaged multiple residential structures and vehicles along the debris path.

The airplane was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov