Cessna 310-H accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, December 2, 2003
On December 2, 2003 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 310-H, registered N815M, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's mismanagement of the fuel by which he failed to position the fuel selector on the appropriate fuel tanks resulting in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was the pilot's diverted attention.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2003 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310-H · all 310-Hs on the register
- Registration
- N815M · registry record · serial 310H0042
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The 1,800-hour pilot stated that he turned final to Runway 17 and was at an altitude of 2,500 MSL, when the left engine lost power. Approximately ten seconds later, the right engine lost power. The pilot landed the airplane in a field with the landing gear up, approximately two miles north of his destination. The main fuel tanks were visually inspected and found to be one-third to one-half full of fuel. The auxiliary tanks were found to be empty. The fuel selector valves were in the auxiliary position for both engines. The pilot reported that he was distracted by weather and communications with Oklahoma City Approach Control, and forgot to switch tanks.
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: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,800 hours in all; 110 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: July 8, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,355 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 5,100 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MVN Mount Vernon IL at 4:15 pm
- Destination: HSD Oklahoma City OK
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 21 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; a few clouds at 2,000 ft
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 25°F (-4°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.