Event FTW93LA145

Factual narrative

On April 30, 1993, at 0530 central daylight time (CDT) a Cessna 310H, N48AA, was substantially damaged during the takeoff, at Brookshire, Texas. Weather was instrument meteorological conditions for the local area flight. The pilot was not injured. R. G. Aero of Houston, Texas, was the registered owner. During an interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot reported that he aligned the airplane incorrectly, due to restrictions of visibility, and as he began his takeoff roll the airplane crossed at least two taxiways. As he crossed the taxiways his landing gear was sheared. He reported that visibility was such that he could not see the runway to make the correct aircraft alignment. Although the nearest weather reporting facility, Houston Intercontinental (IAH), was reporting visual meteorological conditions, actual weather at the accident site was obscured. Witnesses at the scene stated that there were 4 passengers onboard the airplane at the time of the accident. The witnesses also stated that it was dark and the runway lights were not on. The pilot was requested to provide the names of the passengers, his only response was he did not know them. The pilot would not cooperate in providing any information as to how to gain information on the passengers or on his proposed flight. Numerous attempts to have the pilot return a completed Pilot/Operator Report NTSB Form 6120.1/2 were unsuccessful. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING AN EARLY MORNING TAKEOFF IN NIGHT CONDITIONS FROM A GRASS AIRSTRIP IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, HE INCORRECTLY ALIGNED THE AIRPLANE FOR TAKEOFF. HE SAID HE COULD NOT SEE THE RUNWAY DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED ACROSS AT LEAST 2 TAXIWAYS SHEARING THE LANDING GEAR. THE RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12