# NTSB FTW82DA283: Beech A36, N3123W, Port O'Connor, TX, July 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1982, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Port O'Connor, TX
- Coordinates: 28.439636, -96.490539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4396&lon=-96.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72292
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72292/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA283

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - not operating (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT DECIDED TO LAND AT AN AIRSTRIP THAT HE HAD LANDED AT ABOUT 3 YEARS PREVIOUSLY. BEFORE LANDING, HE MADE A 500 FT PASS OVER THE STRIP. HE REPORTED THAT THE SUN AND GLARE WERE BRIGHT. HE SAW WHITE SPOTS ON THE STRIP, BUT THOUGHT THEY WERE FILLED-IN AREAS. THE SPOTS WERE ACTUALLY TRUCK LOADS OF SAND ABOUT 3 TO 4 FT HIGH. AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLARED DURING THE LANDING, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR STRUCK ONE OF THE MOUNDS. THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND, BUT ABORTED IT WHEN THE NOSE GEAR HIT ANOTHER MOUND AND SHEARED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPORT HAD BEEN CLOSED AND ITS LISTING HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TEXAS AIRPORT DIRECTORY AND THE AOPA AIRPORT DIRECTORY. ALSO, IT WAS NO LONGER DEPICTED ON THE HOUSTON AERONAUTICAL CHART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3123W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3123W), registered now, S/N E-500, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Registry model: [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36) (registry code 1151604) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E-500
- Airframe hours: 1360
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lyon Flying Service
- Registered owner: Lyon Flying Service
- Departed: WELSH, LA
- Destination: 55S, PACKWOOD, WA
- Airport: Closed Airport, runway 24, 2,400 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 10,000 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 9,950 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 196 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820715029039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820715029039A), Jul 15, 1982: Beech A36, Port Oconnor, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot made landing on closed airport. Aircraft struck truckload of sand piled on runway. Runways not marked closed.

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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