Cessna 310 accident near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, September 5, 2019
On September 5, 2019 at about 10:50 pm local time, a 1972 Cessna 310, registered N7673Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach near Tahlequah, Oklahoma (Tahlequah Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of right engine power due to fuel starvation and the pilot's improper fuel management.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 5, 2019 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Tahlequah, Oklahoma · Tahlequah Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310 Q, built 1972 · all 310s on the register
- Registration
- N7673Q · no longer on the register · serial 310Q0452
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during approach to land and while the airplane about 250 ft above ground level, "he ran the right tank dry," and the engine then lost power. He switched the right fuel tank selector to the auxiliary fuel tank, but despite his attempts, he could not restart the engine. He subsequently landed the airplane in a grassy field short of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that both main fuel tanks were empty and that about 17 gallons of fuel remained in the auxiliary tank. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Fuel starvation during approach
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid management
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 5,302 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Continental IO-520-E2B (piston); 704 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-470 SERIES (piston); 704 hours total
- Operator: 3L Executive Coach LLC
The flight
- Departed from: DUC Duncan OK
- Destination: TQH Tahlequah OK
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 17, 5,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from KTQH
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 7, 2020. 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 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photo | 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.