Cessna 310D accident near Ennis, Texas, May 6, 2023
On May 6, 2023 at about 8:22 pm local time, a 1960 Cessna 310D, registered N6798T, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR go-around) near Ennis, Texas (Ennis Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of right engine power due to reduced fuel flow as a result of the contamination of the fuel screen.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 6, 2023 · about 8:22 pm local time
- Place
- Ennis, Texas · Ennis Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310D, built 1960 · all 310Ds on the register
- Registration
- N6798T · no longer on the register · serial 39098
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was conducting a personal flight in a multiengine airplane with two passengers when the accident occurred. According to one of the passengers, the pilot chose to perform a go-around while on final approach; however, the reason for the go-around was not understood. The airplane side-stepped to the right of the runway and immediately rolled to the right. The airplane impacted a field of cedar trees, where a post-impact fire ensued and destroyed the airplane. Debris in the initial impact crater show that the right wing and right engine impacted the ground first. Both the left and right propellers exhibited chordwise/rotational scoring, which was consistent with both propellers rotating at impact; all damage was consistent with high impact forces. The left propeller exhibited damage consistent with rotation at a higher power level when compared to the right; however, the level of engine power could not be determined definitively from either propeller. Both propellers exhibited damage consistent with rotation at a low blade angle and neither was in a feathered position. There were no discrepancies noted that would preclude or degrade normal operation on either propeller. The left engine was examined and there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The right engine was run and initially ran rough. The fuel plug and screen assembly from the fuel injection control assembly was removed and black debris, small string-like fibers, and metallic particles were observed obstructing the screen. Analysis of the debris revealed polyurethane, and metallic particles of brass (zinc and copper) and aluminum. The brass and aluminum were most likely components of the fuel system. The flexible fluid-carrying hoses had not been replaced since 2001 and were prone to degradation if not replaced after 12 years. The polyurethane and string-like fibers were consistent with a flexible fluid-carrying hose. It is likely that the fuel hose from the fuel system degraded over time and plugged the fuel screen for the right engine which resulted in a partial loss of engine power. A review of the maintenance records did not indicate that the fuel plug and screen from the fuel injection control assembly were cleaned during the August 2022 annual engine inspection as recommended by both the Cessna Model 310D Maintenance Manual and Continental IO-470 Engine Operator’s Manual.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR go-around)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR go-around)
- Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)
- Fuel starvation during approach (VFR go-around) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel filter › strainer › Damaged/degraded
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Engine out control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel distribution › Damaged/degraded
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 302.6 hours in all; 13.9 in this make and model; 54.1 in the last 90 days; 10.1 in the last 30 days; 246.4 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 12, 2023
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,647 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 20, 2023; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,830 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor I0-470 SERIES (piston); 1,515 hours total
- Engine 2: Cont Motor I0-470 SERIES (piston); 1,523 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KDWH Houston TX at 7:24 pm
- Destination: F41 Ennis TX
- Flight plan: VFR
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 3:35 pm from KJWY, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KJWY 062035Z AUTO 17011KT 10SM BKN027 29/22 A2995 RMK AO2 T02940216
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on February 20, 2025. 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.
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.
