Cessna 310 accident near De Queen, Arkansas, August 4, 2019
On August 4, 2019 at about 9:50 pm local time, a Cessna 310, registered N310QA, was substantially damaged in an accident near De Queen, Arkansas (J Lynn Helms Sevier County airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2019 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- De Queen, Arkansas · J Lynn Helms Sevier County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310 I · all 310s on the register
- Registration
- N310QA · no longer on the register · serial 310I0063
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots departed on a local flight in the multiengine airplane in visual meteorological conditions. Radar and GPS data showed the airplane maneuvering around the area of the departure airport at an altitude about 2,000 to 1,800 ft above ground level before it turned toward the airport and entered a descent that continued until ground contact. During the descent, the airplane’s speed slowed below its published stall speed. Examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. A review of weather information found an area of cumuliform clouds and dissipating precipitation near the accident site. Although no AIRMETs or SIGMET advisories were valid for the area around the time of the accident, scattered thunderstorm activity was forecast for the area of the accident site around the accident time. During the dissipating stage, rain showers and thunderstorms are dominated by downdrafts and outflow boundaries. Although nearby surface observations did not record any gusty wind around the accident time, it is possible that the airplane encountered an area of localized outflow or turbulence that may have contributed to the accident.
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
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during unknown
- Loss of control in flight during unknown defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,464 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 5,099 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Continental IO-470 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-470 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Hwy 17 Trucking Llc
The flight
- Departed from: DEQ De Queen AR at 7:39 pm
- Destination: DEQ De Queen AR
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,200 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KDEQ, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
16 documents, released by the NTSB on November 4, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weather Factual Report | PDF, 20 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Weather Attachment 1 | GIF file | Download |
| 3 | Weather Attachment 2 | GIF file | Download |
| 4 | Weather Attachment 3 | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Autopsy Information | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Photos | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Case Finding | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | Global Positioning System Factual Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 10 | GPS Factual Report Attachment 1 | data file | Download |
| 11 | GPS Tracks | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 12 | Left Engine Photos | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Right Engine Photos | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 14 | Witness and Family Statements | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 15 | Log Book Excerpts | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 16 | Textron Letter, Airplane Stall Speed | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.