N777HB

On September 30, 1993, at 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N777HB, impacted the ground short of the runway during a forced landing at Sandia Airpark, Edgewood, New Mexico. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured and the aircraft sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was on file. The flight departed Clovis, New Mexico, at 0700 with a filed destination of Saint George, Utah.

Examination of the aircraft by FAA personnel provided evidence that the left engine propeller control ring and counter weights came off causing a loss of control of the propeller and eliminating the ability of the pilot to feather the propeller. According to the pilot, he secured that engine due to vibration and was unable to maintain flight on the remaining engine due to excessive drag from the propeller. He said he attempted a forced landing at Animas Airpark, being vectored to that facility by Albuquerque Center. Unable to extend the flight, he landed approximately 150 feet short of the runway on rough terrain and the right main landing gear collapsed during landing roll.