A Squared
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 3,006
Scott,
Yes, there are other types of accidents which kill more people. Characterizing it as "essentially never" might give the impression that it isn't something that really needs to be taken seriously though. VMC rollovers can and do kill people and you need to train for them, although dying while training for engine failure is counterproductive. I looked through the PA-31 accidents and I didn't count, but it seemed like that there were comparatively more VMC rollover accidents listed for the Navajo than the C-310. In fact, a good friend of mine died in precisely that sort of accident in a Navajo. He was a non-pilot passenger. (LAX97FA217)
You make a good point that the complexity of the aircraft should be taken as seriously as engine failure. You will probably see more fuel exhastion accidents for the C-310/320 too. It has a fairly complex fuel system and if you're not paying attention you can dump a bunch of your fuel overboard. The landing gear is a problem with the 310/320. The gear legs are relatively tall and weak (especially the earlier 320s), and it's a fairly complex electromechanical system. It needs plenty of maintenence to keep it rigged correctly. I've had my share of gear problems in that airplane, none of them ending in bent metal, thankfully.
Yes, there are other types of accidents which kill more people. Characterizing it as "essentially never" might give the impression that it isn't something that really needs to be taken seriously though. VMC rollovers can and do kill people and you need to train for them, although dying while training for engine failure is counterproductive. I looked through the PA-31 accidents and I didn't count, but it seemed like that there were comparatively more VMC rollover accidents listed for the Navajo than the C-310. In fact, a good friend of mine died in precisely that sort of accident in a Navajo. He was a non-pilot passenger. (LAX97FA217)
You make a good point that the complexity of the aircraft should be taken as seriously as engine failure. You will probably see more fuel exhastion accidents for the C-310/320 too. It has a fairly complex fuel system and if you're not paying attention you can dump a bunch of your fuel overboard. The landing gear is a problem with the 310/320. The gear legs are relatively tall and weak (especially the earlier 320s), and it's a fairly complex electromechanical system. It needs plenty of maintenence to keep it rigged correctly. I've had my share of gear problems in that airplane, none of them ending in bent metal, thankfully.
