Accident Cessna 310F N6788X, Monday 2 September 1991

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Date:	Monday 2 September 1991
Time:	12:30 LT
Type:	Cessna 310F
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N6788X
MSN:	3100088
Engine model:	Continental IO-470D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Corvallis, OR - United States of America
Phase:	Initial climb
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:	Bend, OR (S07)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TAKEOFF THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH ENGINE WAS AFFECTED. HE CHOSE TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT AND THEN EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE HE EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED AS THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED A DITCH. SUBSEQUENT TEST RUN OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED A DISCONNECTED AIR INDUCTION LINE WITH DEGRADED PERFORMANCE ABOVE 60% POWER. THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER BLADES EXHIBITED AFTWARD TIP CURL AND POLISHING. THE PILOT REPORTED ONLY 35 HOURS OF TOTAL MULTI-ENGINE FLIGHT TIME OF WHICH ONLY 3 HOURS WERE IN THE CESSNA 310 AND NO CESSNA 310 FLIGHT TIME WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 90 DAYS.

Probable Cause: A DISCONNECTED AIR INDUCTION LINE, AND THE PILOT'S INFLIGHT DECISION TO EXECUTE A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE AIRPORT. HIS LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN MULTI-ENGINE AIRCRAFT, HIS OVERALL LACK OF FAMILIARITY AND LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE AIRCRAFT WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Accident investigation: