# NTSB FTW83FA009: Cessna 210L, N732KH, Hebbronville, TX, October 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1982, 18:22 local (23:22 UTC)
- Place: Hebbronville, TX
- Coordinates: 27.309106, -98.680946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3091&lon=-98.6809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - turbulence(thunderstorms) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - vacuum system - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed(vmo) - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - overload
  - wing - failure,total
  - wing - separation
  - stabilizer - overload
  - stabilizer - failure,total
  - stabilizer - separation

## Analysis

THE CREW WERE ADVISED THAT THE ACFT'S VACUUM PUMP SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO A SHEARED PUMP DRIVESHAFT. THE COPILOT HAD STATED THAT FSS HAD FORECAST 25,000 FT BROKEN & HE DID NOT FEEL HE WOULD NEED THE PUMP. AT 1735 THE PLT CONTACTED CENTER & REQUESTED RADAR ADVISORIES TO BROWNSVILLE. AT 1812 THE PILOT REQUESTED & WAS GRANTED PERMISSION TO DEVIATE AROUND A CELL. 12 MINUTES LATER THE TARGET DISAPPEARED. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE TAIL & RIGHT WING HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. THERE WAS A VIP LEVEL 1 ECHO WITHIN 5 MI EAST & A VIP LEVEL 3 ECHO WITHIN 10 MI SE OF THE ACCIDENT SITE. MODERATE TO SEVERE CONVECTIVE TURBULENCE & UP & DOWN DRAFTS WOULD HAVE BEEN PRESENT BELOW 10,000 FT. THE PLT'S LIVER TISSUE PRODUCED 96 MG% ETHYL ALCOHOL & MIXED TISSE FLUID PRODUCED 112 MG%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N732KH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N732KH-1985-11-14), registration cancelled 1985-11-14, S/N 21061569 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21061569
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L-3A 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Big Country Oil Co
- Registered owner: Big Country Oil Co
- Departed: KERRVILLE, TX
- Destination: HARLINGEN, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,809 total, 709 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 189 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MFE, 50 nm away

## 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 19821006051519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821006051519A), Oct 6, 1982: Cessna 210L, Hebbronville, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Departed on IFR flight with a broken vacuum pump. Entered area of thunderstorms. Airframe failure occurred.

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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