Cessna 310K accident near Alcoa, Tennessee, November 9, 2024
On November 9, 2024 at about 4:04 pm local time, a 1965 Cessna 310K, registered N143MG, was substantially damaged in an accident during taxi (from runway) near Alcoa, Tennessee (Mcghee Tyson Airport). It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the left engine throttle control shaft bushing during taxi, resulting in a full asymmetric power condition and a taxiway excursion.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 2024 · about 4:04 pm local time
- Place
- Alcoa, Tennessee · Mcghee Tyson Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310K, built 1965 · all 310Ks on the register
- Registration
- N143MG · registry record · serial 310K0134
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that his approach and landing were normal. After exiting the runway, while on a taxiway, the airplane “swerved to the right and seemed to accelerate.” Unable to control braking and steering, the airplane departed the taxiway to the right and proceeded through a steep depression before colliding with a wind sensor pole. The pilot secured the airplane and was met by first responders. The airplane’s right wing and fuselage were substantially damaged during the accident sequence. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the brass splined bushing on the left engine throttle control shaft was stripped, which resulted in an uncontrollable, full power application to that engine. The wheel brakes were examined and no anomalies were found; the brakes held the airplane in place with the left engine at full power during a test run.
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
- Ground collision during taxi
- Loss of control on ground during taxi (from runway) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 18,400 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model; 16,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 15, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,588 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 2, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 3,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Cont Motor IO-470-VO(9) (piston); 4,588 hours total
- Engine 3: Cont Motor IO-470-VO(8) (piston); 4,588 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: H10 St Louis MO at 2:00 pm
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 5L, 10,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from TYS, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KTYS 091553Z 05006KT 10SM CLR 18/10 A3018 RMK AO2 SLP216 T01830094 $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 25 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on April 22, 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.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpts - FAA Inspector Statements and Photos | PDF, 28 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | NTSB Memorandum of Record - Pilot Information Provided by FAA | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Excerpts - Airframe Logbook | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Excerpts - Engine Logbooks | 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.