Cessna 310K accident near Opa-Locka, Florida, June 5, 1998
On June 5, 1998 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Cessna 310K, registered N366J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Opa-Locka, Florida (Opa-Locka airport). It was a personal 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 fuel leak due to improper installation of the left auxiliary fuel tank by maintenance personnel. Also, inadequate annual inspection of the airplane by maintenance personnel for failure to identify the missing screw from the adel clamp resulting in chafing of the positive battery cable. Also, operation of the airplane by the owner with known deficiencies in equipment.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 5, 1998 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Opa-Locka, Florida · Opa-Locka · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 310K · all 310Ks on the register
- Registration
- N366J · registry record · serial 310K0086
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff an explosion inside the left wing resulted in a short duration fire. The flight continued and landed uneventfully. The upper and lower wing skins were displaced and fire damage was noted aft of the battery box. The positive battery cable was chafing against an open adel clamp located near the battery box; the PK screw was not in place. Arching was noted on the battery cable. Testing of the left auxiliary fuel tank revealed seepage from the fuel tank vent line. The fuel tank was not properly secured inside the wing. Damage to the external portion of the auxiliary fuel tank near the vent line was noted. Previous fuel seepage from the left wing auxiliary fuel tank was evident in the form of damage on the ground beneath the left wing area greater than damage to the ground beneath the right wing area. Also, a wax type residue was found on the lower wing skin in the area of the fuel seepage. The service manual indicates to check electrical cables for condition every 100 hours.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,043 hours in all; 361 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,437 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 10, 1997; 31 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,200 lb
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental IO-520-E2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OPF at 8:10 pm
- Destination: X16 Tampa FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from OPF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.