NTSB Factual Report

On June 30, 2017, about 0935 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 310R multi-engine airplane, N87297, collided with the freeway following a loss of right engine power shortly after departing from the John Wayne-Orange County Airport (SNA), Santa Ana, California. The private pilot, and passenger sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was registered to Twin Props 87297, LLC., and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was destined for Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Deer Valley, Arizona.

A witness located in a car on the north-bound freeway, captured the accident airplane in flight and subsequent impact sequence on video. The airplane was first observed in a right-wing low, 45-degree bank, in a slightly nose high attitude descending towards the freeway from the north. The wings leveled as the airplane crossed over the freeway about 20 feet above ground level. After losing sight of the airplane momentarily, the video continued with the airplane impacting the center median divide and opposing lane. The airplane exploded and caught fire.

Radar data obtained from the Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-X) at SNA, showed the accident airplane taxi and then depart runway 20R. Shortly after takeoff, over the departure end of the runway, the pilot announced a mayday and entered the right traffic pattern for the runway. ATC replied by clearing the airplane to land on runway 20R. The airplane continued on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and ATC informed the pilot that his landing gear was retracted. The pilot replied by stating he would put the gear down on final. The airplane was near the end of the downwind leg of the traffic pattern when the pilot stated that he lost engine power on the right engine. The airplane then turned right for the runway and the last radar returns from the flight track were near the accident site.

According to the FAA inspector onsite, the debris field was about 150 feet long, crossing over both the north and south-bound lanes. Impact marks and soot were found on the center median K-bar, and continued diagonally across the southbound lane to the K-bar on the edge of the freeway. The left-wing tip tank and left main landing gear were found further down the debris field in the northbound lane. The left elevator and right-wing tip tank were found on the southbound lane. About 150 feet down the debris field in the southbound lane was the main wreckage. The main wreckage was partially consumed by fire and both engines and propellers remained attached. The horizontal stabilizer separated from the wreckage and was found further down the debris field. Airplane debris impacted several vehicles on the freeway.

The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.