# NTSB FTW81FRG37: Cessna 337, N337W, Melvin, TX, May 16, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: May 16, 1981
- Place: Melvin, TX · MELVIN, TX
- Location: 31.1992° N, 99.5813° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Melvin, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1992&lon=-99.5813&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW81FRG37
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRG37

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1035  81/5/16    MELVIN,TX           CESSNA 337          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 51, 1119
        TIME - 0830                    N337W               PX-  0  0  3  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 419 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LLANO,TX                    JUAREZ,MEXICO
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: FENCE,FENCEPOSTS                          LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED UNSUITABLE TERRAIN
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - PRECAUTIONARY LANDING OFF AIRPORT
                                  ADVERSE/UNFAVORABLE WEATHER
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OBSCURATION                                               200
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          1/4 MILE OR LESS                                         NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      IFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          NONE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N337W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N337W-1981-12-18), registration cancelled 1981-12-18, S/N 337-0432, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337
- Registry model: [Cessna 337A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337a) (registry code 2075704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19810516026729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810516026729A), May 16, 1981: Cessna 337, Melvin, TX, Substantial damage. Elected to land on a road due to low clouds and fog. Wing hit a fence post, cartwheeled aircraft.

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.

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