# NTSB FTW82FRG30: Cessna 182E, N9330X, Armstrong, TX, May 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1982, 21:00 local (May 10, 1982, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Armstrong, TX
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82FRG30
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FRG30

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PILOT REVIEWED THE WEATHER IN PERSON AT THE COLLEGE STATION FSS, BUT DECLINED AN OFFICIAL WEATHER BRIEFING. HE DEPARTED IN GOOD VFR CONDITIONS AND FLEW INTO AN AREA OF KNOWN AND FORCASTED LOW CEILINGS. WHILE EN ROUTE, HIS FLIGHT PATH WAS OVER AN UNINHABITED RANCH LAND BETWEEN KINGSVILLE AND BROWNSVILLE, TX. BY THIS TIME, IT WAS A DARK NIGHT WITHOUT ANY VISIBLE GROUND REFERENCES. AT 2056 CDT, THE PILOT CONTACTED THE ALICE FSS AND REQUESTED THE BROWNSVILLE WEATHER. THE 1845 CDT WEATHER (1300 FT OVERCAST) WAS PROVIDED AND THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT A NEW WEATHER SEQUENCE WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT 2105 CDT. AT 2105, THE FSS TRIED TO CALL THE PILOT, BUT THERE WAS NO REPLY. ON 5/16/82, THE PLANE WAS FOUND WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A STEEP DIVE WITH THE RIGHT WING LOW. THE 2055 CDT KINGSVILLE WEATHER WAS: 1500 FT SCATTERED, 2000 FT OVERCAST, VISBIILITY 7 MILES. THE 0854 CDT BROWNSVILLE WEATHER WAS: 1000 FT OVERCAST, VISIBILITY 7 MILES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9330X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9330X-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18253730, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18253730
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack L. Amos
- Registered owner: Jack L. Amos
- Departed: COLLEGE STATION, TX
- Destination: BROWNSVILLE, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Observed at: NQI

## 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 19820509015779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820509015779A), May 9, 1982: Cessna 182E, Armstrong, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft continued flight into deteriorating weather conditions. Aircraft crashed in uncontrolled attitude.

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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