Cessna 310R accident near Palo Alto, CA

On February 17, 2010, a Cessna 310R (airplane) was involved in an accident near Palo Alto, CA. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.

Date

February 17, 2010

Place

Palo Alto, CA

Aircraft

Cessna 310R · Airplane

Injuries

3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor

Damage

Substantial

Position

37.461°N, 122.115°W

NTSB ID

20100217X24906

Official records · WPR10FA136

• Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation

Air traffic control records

• Air Traffic Control Tower Recorded Weather: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
• Transcript of Radio Communications: Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov

NTSB summary

HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 17, 2010, about 0754 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 310R airplane, N5225J, was substantially damaged when it impacted multiple residential structures and terrain following an in-flight collision with power lines and a power line tower 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 under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) 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. Review of recorded air traffic control tower communications between the pilot and controller revealed that the pilot was issued his IFR clearance at 0741, which cleared the pilot to Hawthorne Airport via a right turn to a heading of 060 degrees within one mile of Palo Alto, vectors San Jose, Salinas as filed, climb and maintain 3,000 feet, expect 9,000 feet five minutes after departure. The pilot acknowledged the IFR clearance by reading it back to the controller. At 0746, the pilot contacted the air traffic control tower controller, stating he was "ready three one, IFR to Hawthorne." The controller responded, telling the pilot to hold for IFR release. At 0749, the controller transmitted that information Nov

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure follow the standard instrument departure as instructed, and his failure to attain a sufficient altitude to maintain clearance from power lines during takeoff in instrument meteorological conditions.

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Browse: California · Cessna aircraft

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Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.