# NTSB FTW00LA114: Cessna 182C, N9055T, Brownfield, TX, April 2, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 2, 2000, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Brownfield, TX - Coordinates: 33.170738, -102.269859 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1707&lon=-102.2699&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 51131 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW00LA114 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51131/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA114 ## Probable cause The pilot inadvertently stalling the airplane. A factor was the pilot's diverted attention toward people on the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot was flying over a suspected oil leak in a pipeline. Witnesses stated that the airplane was circling low (approximately 500 feet agl) over the suspected oil leak. According to the witnesses, the pilot was attempting to get their attention. They observed the airplane in a '60-90 degree bank to the left.' The witnesses stated that the airplane lost altitude while in the turn until it 'flew into the ground,' impacting on the left wing and cartwheeling. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he could not remember the event. The FAA inspector stated that the pilot's attention was diverted to the witnesses, and that the pilot 'had stalled or was about to stall the aircraft in this high bank angle.' ## Factual narrative On April 2, 2000, approximately 1200 central standard time, a Cessna 182C airplane, N9055T, was substantially damaged during impact with terrain while maneuvering near Brownfield, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by American Patrols Inc., of Midland, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial observation flight. The pipeline inspection flight departed Snyder, Texas, at 1045. Witness interviews, conducted by the FAA inspector, who visited the accident site, revealed that the airplane was circling low (approximately 500 feet agl) over a suspected oil leak in a pipeline. The witnesses stated that the airplane was in a "60-90 degree bank to the left," and the pilot was attempting to get their attention. The witnesses further stated that the airplane lost altitude while in the turn until it "flew into the ground," impacting on the left wing and cartwheeling. The pilot told the FAA inspector that he could not remember the event. The FAA inspector stated that he concluded that the pilot's attention was diverted to the witnesses, and that the pilot "had stalled or was about to stall the aircraft in this high bank angle." According to the FAA inspector, the airplane's left wing was torn from the fuselage and the fuselage sustained structural damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9055T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9055T-2001-09-19), registration cancelled 2001-09-19, S/N 52955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182C - Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 52955 - Airframe hours: 1951 - Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: American Patrols, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 2000, 6 hours before - Departed: SNK, SNYDER, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 968 total, 81 in this make and model, 891 as pilot in command, 190 in the last 90 days, 53 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LBB, 15 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000402006249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000402006249A), Apr 2, 2000: Cessna 182C, Brownfield, TX, No damage. (.23) At approx. 1200 on 4/2/00, Mr. Michael cralle was the pilot in command of N9055T, a Cessna 182. Mr. Cralle was conducting aerial pipeline patrol near… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.