Cessna 310Q accident near Compton, California, April 12, 2008
On April 12, 2008 at about 10:50 pm local time, a Cessna 310Q, registered N6231Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Compton, California (Compton airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of both engines' power during approach due to fuel exhaustion that resulted from the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and failure to verify the quantity of fuel on board the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 12, 2008 · about 10:50 pm local time
- Place
- Compton, California · Compton · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310Q · all 310Qs on the register
- Registration
- N6231Q · no longer on the register · serial 310Q0517
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to departing for a planned round-trip flight, the pilot visually ascertained the quantity of fuel in the airplane's main fuel tanks, but relied on the fuel gauges to ascertain the quantity of fuel in the auxiliary fuel tanks. Prior to taking off for the return flight, the pilot did not look in any of the fuel tanks and estimated the airplane contained a total of 30 gallons of fuel that was distributed among the two main and two auxiliary tanks. Approaching the airport, the left engine sputtered and the pilot repositioned both fuel selectors from the main tanks to the auxiliary tanks position. The left engine did not restart. The pilot then attempted to provide fuel to the left engine by positioning its fuel selector into the cross-feed position. Moments later, both engines lost all power. At the time, the airplane was on short final approach for landing. As the airplane continued descending, the pilot again attempted to restore engine power and he switched the right engine's fuel selector to the right auxiliary tank. The right engine's power surged to red line and the airplane began to uncontrollably roll left. The pilot reduced the right engine's throttle to regain directional and lateral control, and the airplane impacted the underlying homes, coming to rest 2,100 feet short of the landing threshold. An examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction with the airplane's fuel control system or engines. Only ounces of fuel were observed in fuel lines, and no evidence of fuel was found in tanks or in the underlying terrain.
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
- Preflight or dispatch event during prior to flight
- Fuel exhaustion during approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid level
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Inadequate inspection
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 4,100 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 3,900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,875 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 24, 2007; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Continental IO-470-VO (piston); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Continental IO-470-VO (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYF San Diego CA at 10:06 pm
- Destination: Compton CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 25L, 3,322 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from HHR, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.