NTSB Factual Report

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On September 24, 1995, about 0940 central daylight time, a Cessna 310P, N5926M, collided with the ground during an uncontrolled descent near Lexington, Mississippi. The airplane was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal flight. The private, non-instrument rated pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and the airplane was destroyed. Origination of the flight was the C.A. Moore Airport, Lexington, Mississippi, about 30 minutes prior to the accident.

Witnesses in the area reported seeing the aircraft descend out of the base of the clouds heading in an easterly direction. They reported that the aircraft was at about 200 feet above ground level, in a right bank, and descending, at the time they observed the aircraft. The aircraft continued the right turn, and descent into the terrain. After the aircraft impacted the terrain, there was an intense post crash fire.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with airplane single and multiengine ratings. His third class medical, issued on January 10, 1989, had expired.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records showed that he had accumulated 3,600 hours of flight time. No pilot records for the pilot were found.

The pilot's son reported that his father was not competent to fly the aircraft, and relied on the aircraft autopilot to fly the aircraft. He stated that his father had open heart surgery in 1978, and again in 1990, and that he could not obtain an FAA medical certificate. He said that his father had reported to him that he had vertigo during the flight into Lexington a couple of weeks prior, and that he was going to take the aircraft back to Dallas, and sell it.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The Cessna 310P is a twin engine, low wing, retractable gear airplane.

No records for the aircraft could be located following the accident.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

Instrument meteorological conditions existed at Greensboro, Mississippi at the time of the accident, and witnesses near the accident site reported that the ceilings in the area were about 200 feet above ground level. Additional meteorological information may be obtained on page 4 of this report.

WRECKAGE INFORMATION

The aircraft impacted the terrain in a field near Lexington, Mississippi. There was an intense post crash fire, and most of the aircraft was consumed in the fire.

The aircraft engines were involved in the post crash fire. All of the engine accessories were consumed in the fire. There was no evidence of pre-impact failure of the engines. The aircraft propellers showed signs of "S" bending and twisting towards low pitch.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy of the pilot was performed by Dr. Steven T. Hayne of Brandon, Mississippi. Dr. Hayne reported that the pilot died as a result of blunt force trauma received in the accident.

A Toxicological examination of the pilot was conducted by the Department of Defense Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington, DC. The report was negative for the use of ethanol. The report stated that 0.15 milligrams per kilogram of ephedrine was found in the kidney.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The aircraft wreckage was released to Sergeant Willie Rule, of the Holmes County, Mississippi Sheriffs Office on September 26, 1995.

NTSB Probable Cause

the non-instrument rated pilot's intentional VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain control of the aircraft. The weather was a factor.