# NTSB FTW82DA039: Cessna 172, N7355A, Fruit Vale, TX, January 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1982, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Fruit Vale, TX
- Coordinates: 32.679042, -95.799179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6790&lon=-95.7992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70770
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70770/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA039

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE APPROACH HE WAS MOMENTARILY BLINDED BY THE SUN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TOP WIRE ON A FENCE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY PULLING IT DOWN ONTO THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7355A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7355A), registered now, S/N 29455, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17229455
- Airframe hours: 1683
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Harris
- Registered owner: Charles Harris
- Departed: FRUIT VALE, TX
- Destination: FRUIT VALE, TX
- Airport: Private Strip, runway 21, 4,000 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 89 total, 46 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles

## 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 19820109000779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820109000779A), Jan 9, 1982: Cessna 172, Fruitvale, TX, Substantial damage. Blinded by setting sun on final, struck a fence near approach end of runway.

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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