3 Tesla execs dead in plane crash
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: California
My condolences to the family and friends of the accident victims. 
The Cessna 310 is a pretty old design, and its twin engines, though adequate, don't have a whole lot of power by light-twin, general-aviation aircraft standards. I'm a licensed pilot myself, and won't do a lot of speculating, as there are many things that could cause a crash like this. But marginal power, especially with at least four people on board, could have been a factor. That's why, in the plane's specs and Flight Manual (and every aircraft has one), you have a runway take-off and distance requirement, at max engine power, to clear a 50-foot obstacle (and other obstacles), based on air temperature/pressure/humidity, aircraft load, and number of engines in operation.
The Cessna 310 is a pretty old design, and its twin engines, though adequate, don't have a whole lot of power by light-twin, general-aviation aircraft standards. I'm a licensed pilot myself, and won't do a lot of speculating, as there are many things that could cause a crash like this. But marginal power, especially with at least four people on board, could have been a factor. That's why, in the plane's specs and Flight Manual (and every aircraft has one), you have a runway take-off and distance requirement, at max engine power, to clear a 50-foot obstacle (and other obstacles), based on air temperature/pressure/humidity, aircraft load, and number of engines in operation.
It was very foggy at the time of take-off, but there may have also been a mechanical problem, from what I heard from news reports.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 5
From: CA
^^^ Yup, I work in Palo Alto and on the way to work yesterday it was very foggy. Not sure how it was in East Palo Alto, where the crash was, but I know in the part of Palo Alto I'm in had poor visibility. Reports said that the plane hit a power line and exploded and that fortunately no one on the ground was injured.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
Likes: 221
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Most planes, by Federal law, have to have minimum cloud ceiling and visibility standards at the airport to legally take off...usually around 500' and a half-mile or so, depending on what type of aircraft and airport it is, and the number/type of navigation facilities it has.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
From: California
Most planes, by Federal law, have to have minimum cloud ceiling and visibility standards at the airport to legally take off...usually around 500' and a half-mile or so, depending on what type of aircraft and airport it is, and the number/type of navigation facilities it has.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14422231
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hoovey689
Car Chat
34
Aug 19, 2013 10:36 PM
Hoovey689
Car Chat
1
Jul 18, 2013 10:54 AM
LexFather
Car Chat
34
Nov 28, 2010 03:35 PM