NTSB Factual Report

On August 3, 2007, about 1000 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 310Q, N7749Q, sustained substantial damage when the airplane impacted construction equipment while landing on Ronald Reagan Parkway near Brownsburg, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed and was cancelled just prior to the landing. Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries. The flight originated from Timmerman Airport (MWC), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at 0710, and was intending to land at the Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), Indianapolis, Indiana.

The pilot reported that upon approaching his destination, air traffic control cleared him to descend to 3,000 feet and advised him of construction equipment present on the airport. He stated he had the airport in sight and he closed his IFR flight plan. The pilot reported that shortly thereafter the right engine began to sputter and lose power. He stated he saw the nearby highway with "no obstructions and some construction equipment" so he decided to land on the highway. The section of highway used for the landing was closed due to road construction. The accident site was approximately 3 miles northwest of the airport.

The right wing tip tank contacted a construction road grader during the landing roll. The tip tank, wing ribs, and aileron were substantially damaged. Inspection of the airplane by inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration Indianapolis Flight Standards District Office failed to reveal any mechanical failure/malfunction of the airplane or engine.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's poor in-flight planning to make an off airport precautionary landing and his failure to maintain clearance from the construction equipment during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the construction equipment.