Cessna 310 accident near Greensboro, North Carolina, August 2, 1983
On August 2, 1983 at about 1:50 pm local time, a Cessna 310, registered N39710, was substantially damaged in an accident near Greensboro, North Carolina (Greensboro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 2, 1983 · about 1:50 pm local time
- Place
- Greensboro, North Carolina · Greensboro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 4 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310 · all 310s on the register
- Registration
- N39710 · no longer on the register · serial 310N-0013
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RWY AFTER A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE OCCURRED DURING THE SECOND APPROACH ATTEMPT TO THE AIRPORT. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, EMERGENCY PROCEDURES WERE INITIATED, AND AN ENGINE RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED. WHEN UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN A CORNFIELD ABOUT 1 1/2 MI SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT FUEL TANKS SHOWED LESS THAN 1 PINT IN THE LEFT MAIN, 2 GAL IN THE RIGHT MAIN AND AUXILIARY FUEL TANK APPROXIMATELY 1/2 FULL.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 999 hours in all; 13 in this make and model; 140 in the last 90 days; 857 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,822 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 1983
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470-VO (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CXY Harrisburg PA at 11:30 am
- Destination: 9A7 Jonesboro GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 23, 8,300 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 700 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:49 pm from GSO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.