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Accidents · NTSB WPR16FA152 · Final report

Cessna 310B accident near Columbia, California, July 27, 2016

On July 27, 2016 at about 11:45 pm local time, a 1958 Cessna 310B, registered N6605B, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Columbia, California (Columbia airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).

The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged

The pilot's failure to maintain control during takeoff initial climb for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.

What the record shows

Date
July 27, 2016 · about 11:45 pm local time
Place
Columbia, California · Columbia · map
Type
Accident
Injuries
4 people were killed.
Weather
visual conditions (good weather)
Aircraft
Cessna 310B B, built 1958 · all 310Bs on the register
Registration
N6605B · no longer on the register · serial 35705
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The airline transport pilot was departing on a cross-country flight in the multi-engine airplane. Shortly after takeoff and during the initial climb, witnesses observed the airplane drift to the left and then descend and collide with terrain off the left side of the departure runway. The airplane came to rest about 3,775 ft from where the takeoff run commenced, and about 300 ft south of the extended centerline of the runway. The majority of the airplane was consumed by postcrash fire. The airplane's estimated ground speed during the last 5 seconds of flight was about 70 knots. It could not be determined whether this speed was above, near, or below the manufacturer's best angle, best rate, or recommended climb speed. The investigation revealed that both engines fuel system had been modified by the removal of the pressure carburetors and replaced with continuous fuel flow injection systems. This modification would require a re-identification on the engine data plate, which was not accomplished, and field approval documentation for the alteration.  A search of the airplane's FAA airworthiness file found no records regarding the alteration. Documentation relative to the airplane's revised performance data, which would have been published subsequent to the approval of the fuel injection system modification was also not located in order to determine the effect of airplane performance at the calculated 5,483 foot density altitude at the time of the accident. The propeller strikes found along the debris path and the rotational damage to the blades of both propellers indicated that both engines were developing power at impact. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any evidence of mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The investigation could not determine the reason for the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane on takeoff/initial climb.

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

  1. Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
  2. Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
  3. Fire/smoke (post-impact) during post (impact)

The NTSB's findings

  • cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
  • cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined

Pilot

  • Certificate: airline transport pilot
  • Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
  • Flight time: 12,000 hours in all; 1 in this make and model
  • Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
  • Seat: left
  • Injury: fatal

The aircraft

  • Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
  • Maximum gross weight: 4,698 lb
  • Seats: 6
  • Landing gear: retractable
  • Engine 1: Cont Motor IO-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
  • Engine 2: Cont Motor O-470 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
  • Fire on the ground

The flight

  • Departed from: O22 Columbia CA at 11:45 pm
  • Destination: MRY Monterey CA
  • Flight plan: none
  • Runway 17, 4,673 ft by 75 ft

Weather at the time

  • Light: daylight
  • Wind: from 280° at 6 knots
  • Visibility: 10 statute miles
  • Sky: clear
  • Temperature: 104°F (40°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
  • Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
  • Observation at 11:35 pm from KO22

Injuries

FatalSeriousMinorNone
Flight crew1
Passengers3

Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report

10 documents, released by the NTSB on June 6, 2018. 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.

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.