All Aircraft Components Have Been Accounted For
A National Transportation Safety Board official told reporters
the initial investigation into Tuesday's fatal Cessna 310 accident
in Sanford, FL has produced no obvious signs of what may have
caused smoke or fire in the aircraft's cabin that was reported by
the pilot just prior to impact.
There have been no obvious problems identified with the engines
or propellers, either.
"A cursory examination of the engines and the propeller
assemblies has revealed no obvious mechanical anomalies or
deficiencies," NTSB Vice Chairman Robert Sumwalt said. "We are
conducting a slow, detailed examination of the flight
controls."
As ANN reported, five people
perished when the twin engine Cessna 310R crashed into a Sandford,
FL neighborhood. The aircraft departed Daytona Beach International
(DAB) Tuesday morning en route to Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport
(LAL.) Minutes after takeoff, the C310's pilot reported smoke in
the cockpit, and declared an emergency.
Sumwalt said all major
aircraft components had been accounted for at the crash scene
during a Wednesday news conference according to WKMG Orlando
Channel 6.
"The engines have been removed from the site and taken to a
facility at the Sanford Airport and during the next few days they
will undergo a detailed examination," he said.
"At this time, there is no obvious sign of what may have caused
possible in-flight smoke or fire," Sumwalt added. "However, this is
the very beginning of the investigation."
"Our investigative team is working very hard to complete their
work here on scene to help the wonderful people of this
neighborhood to begin the recovery process and return to some
normalcy in their lives," Sumwalt said.
Although the aircraft's maintenance records were delivered to
NTSB officials Wednesday they've not been investigated yet as this
is the fact-finding phase of the probe and the investigation itself
will likely continue for many months.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#:
501N Make/Model:
C310 Description: 310, T310 (U-3,
L-27)
Date: 07/10/2007 Time: 1235
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury:
Fatal Mid Air: N Missing:
N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: ORLANDO State: FL Country:
US
DESCRIPTION
PILOT REPORTED SMOKE IN COCKPIT AND INTENTION TO ATTEMPT
LANDING AT
SANFORD, FL. AIRCRAFT CRASHED 2 MILES NW OF SANFORD STRIKING
HOMES AND
CAUSING A FIRE, ORLANDO, FL
INJURY DATA Total
Fatal: 5
# Crew: 1 Fat:
1 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Pass: 1 Fat:
1 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
# Grnd:
Fat: 3 Ser:
0 Min:
0 Unk:
WEATHER: VFR
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase:
Approach Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: WASHINGTON, DC
(WA45)
Entry date: 07/11/2007