Event MIA96LA071

Factual narrative

On January 24, 1996, about 1119 eastern standard time, N5079J, a Cessna 310R crashed in Fort Pierce, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and three passengers received minor injuries, and one passenger was seriously injured. The flight originated from Freeport, Bahamas, with a stop at North Eleutria Island. The pilot stated that on left base for landing the left engine failed and he did not feather the propeller. He further stated that the right engine would not produce full power. He attempted to land on a road and struck a tree. There was an extensive postcrash fire. According to the pilot's statement on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, when they departed North Eleutria Island, there was "20 gallons in each main [tank], 30 [gallons] in each auxiliary tank, 20 [gallons] in left wing locker...duration of the flight 1+40, fuel consumption 31 gallons per hour," or an approximate burn of 52 gallons of fuel. The pilot further stated that while at a cruise altitude of 6500 feet, he "switched" to the auxiliary tanks, and had "drained the left wing locker tank" en route to Freeport. Between Freeport and Fort Pierce, he switched back to the main tanks, and was on the mains when he landed. The pilot told the police that after performing the landing check list he extended the landing gear. He then turned left onto base leg when the "left engine quit." He went to full power on the right engine, but was "unable to get full power." Examination of the wreckage revealed that the left engine propeller was not feathered. Further examination of the wreckage revealed that the landing gear was down, and the left engine cowling was intact. The left engine and cowling did not display any fire damage. The right engine and right side of the airplane had been consumed by fire damage. Both fuel selectors were found on the main fuel tanks. The left engine was placed on a test stand and a test run was conducted. No discrepancies were found during the engine test run. The flight was on left base for landing when the left engine lost power. The pilot believed that the right engine would not produce full power. He attempted to land on a road, but the airplane struck a tree and subsequently burned. According to the pilot, when he departed the Bahamas, there was '20 gallons in each main [tank], 30 [gallons] in each auxiliary tank, 20 [gallons] in left wing locker...[the] duration of the flight 1+40, fuel consumption 31 gallons per hour,' or an approximate burn of 52 gallons of fuel. While cruising at 6500 feet, he 'switched' to the auxiliary tanks, 'drained the left wing locker tank' and switched back to the main tanks. Examination of the wreckage revealed the left engine propeller had not been feathered. Also, the landing gear was found extended, and the left engine cowling was intact. The right engine and the right side of the airplane had been consumed by fire damage, but the left engine did not display any fire damage. Both fuel selectors were found positioned to the main fuel tanks. The left engine was placed on a test stand, and a test run was conducted, but no discrepancies were found. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12