Cessna 310 N310QA accident near De Queen, Arkansas

Probable cause

A loss of control for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information.

NTSB analysis

The pilots departed on a local flight in the multiengine airplane in visual meteorological conditions. Radar and GPS data showed the airplane maneuvering around the area of the departure airport at an altitude about 2,000 to 1,800 ft above ground level before it turned toward the airport and entered a descent that continued until ground contact. During the descent, the airplane’s speed slowed below its published stall speed. Examination of the airframe and engines did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

A review of weather information found an area of cumuliform clouds and dissipating precipitation near the accident site. Although no AIRMETs or SIGMET advisories were valid for the area around the time of the accident, scattered thunderstorm activity was forecast for the area of the accident site around the accident time. During the dissipating stage, rain showers and thunderstorms are dominated by downdrafts and outflow boundaries. Although nearby surface observations did not record any gusty wind around the accident time, it is possible that the airplane encountered an area of localized outflow or turbulence that may have contributed to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN19FA248 for the full record.