Cessna T310R accident near Butte, MT
On March 19, 2011, a Cessna T310R (airplane) was involved in an accident near Butte, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- March 19, 2011
- Place
- Butte, MT
- Aircraft
- Cessna T310R · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 46.009°N, 112.584°W
- NTSB ID
- 20110319X25204
Official records · WPR11FA170
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- FAA Salt Lake City ARTCC Audio Recording: Document (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 19, 2011, about 1605 mountain daylight time, a Cessna T310R, N4914A, collided with terrain during a missed approach at Bert Mooney Airport (BTM), Butte, Montana. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and was consumed by a post crash fire. The cross-country personal flight departed Great Falls International Airport (GTF), Great Falls, Montana, about 1520, with a planned destination of Butte. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. A witness, who was located in his residence at an elevation of about 5,600 feet mean sea level (msl), 3.5 miles northwest of the arrival end of runway 15, reported that snow began to fall in the area about 1540. About 1600 he was located at the east-facing window in his living room, because his attention was drawn to the snow, the intensity of which had increased. He stated that the area is susceptible to snow at this time of year, however, this snow fall was unusually heavy, and obscured his view across the street. The snow was blowing horizontally from west to east, and he continued to watch as it created unusual "eddy effects" as it swirled around his house. He then became aware of a very loud airplane engine sound, so loud that his reaction was to duck. He stated that he lives close to the normal flight path of the airport, and was very familiar with the sound of airplanes; however, this wa
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of airplane control during the missed approach for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the rapid and unforecast deterioration of the weather conditions to below the landing minimum and the pilot's decision to attempt the approach despite his knowledge of those conditions.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
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Browse: Montana · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
