# NTSB FTW82FA173: Gulfstream American 980(695), N9789S, Carlsbad, NM, May 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 12, 1982, 21:30 local (May 13, 1982, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, NM
- Coordinates: 32.399127, -104.230842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3991&lon=-104.2308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70134
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70134/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FA173

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1/2 MI SW OF THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 32L. THE RWY HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF TAKEOFF WITH THE ACFT MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO AN AREA THAT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED TOWARD THE MOUNTAINS. IT WAS A VERY DARK NIGHT WITH AN INDISTIGUISHABLE HORIZON SOUTHWESTWARD TOWARD THE HIGHER MOUNTAINS. THERE WERE TWO BRIGHTLY LIT SOFTBALL COMPLEXES LOCATED TO THE NORTH TOWARD THE CITY. A WEATHER STUDY INDICATED PROBABLE MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE & UP & DOWN DRAFTS BELOW 7,000 FT MSL, & LIGHT TO MODERATE WIND SHEAR FROM THE SURFACE UP TO 300 FT AGL. A WITNESS WHO SAW THE FIREBALL STATED SHE HAD LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR BECAUSE A GUST OF WIND PUSHED HER CAR INTO THE OTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9789S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9789S-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 95037, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN 980(695)
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 695](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-695) (registry code 7630518) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [AiResearch TPE331 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/airesearch-tpe331-series) (registry code 01514, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 95037
- Airframe hours: 460
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE-331-501K 733 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Stanley Eugene Wwaugh
- Registered owner: Sweetwater Drilling Company
- Departed: CARLSBAD, NM
- Destination: C, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Cavern City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,000 total, 35 in this make and model, 250 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 21 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °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 19820512015459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820512015459A), May 12, 1982: Gulstm 695, Carlsbad, NM, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed immediately after takeoff. Conditions were reported as dark night and turbulence.

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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