Cessna 310K accident near Calexico, California, June 19, 1998
On June 19, 1998 at about 6:32 pm local time, a Cessna 310K, registered N6994L, was substantially damaged in an accident near Calexico, California (Calexico International airport). 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 continued operation of the aircraft with known deficiencies in the landing gear indicating system. A contributing factor to the accident was the pilot's expectation that the gear would be extended and locked irrespective of the indicator lights due to his prior experience with the malfunctioning indicator system.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 19, 1998 · about 6:32 pm local time
- Place
- Calexico, California · Calexico International · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310K · all 310Ks on the register
- Registration
- N6994L · registry record · serial 310K0094
- 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, prior to the accident, there was a preexisting problem with the right main landing gear indication light. When the gear was extended, the right main landing gear down light would not illuminate. He stated that an adjustment to the right main landing gear switch was conducted, and 2 days later he left for a flying vacation. No discrepancies were noted with the airplane on the month-long trip. On the return flight, at an intermediate stop prior to the intended destination, the right main landing gear down indication light did not illuminate. The pilot recycled the landing gear, and the right main landing gear down indication light still did not illuminate. The pilot continued the landing with no discrepancies noted. He then flew the airplane to the accident airport. Prior to landing the pilot extended the landing gear, but did not receive a gear down indication from the right main landing gear. He recycled the gear, but the right main landing gear down light did not illuminate. He continued with the landing, and on the landing rollout the right main landing gear collapsed.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,000 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 34 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 5,800 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,989 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 16, 1997
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-470 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MMLT Loreto OF at 3:30 pm
- Destination: CXL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 26, 4,507 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.