# NTSB FTW83FA060: Beech A36, N6662Y, Carlsbad, TX, December 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1982, 23:23 local (Dec 17, 1982, 05:23 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, TX
- Coordinates: 31.599592, -100.669349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5996&lon=-100.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70135
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70135/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA060

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS HAD DEPARTED THE SAN ANGELO AIRPORT AT ABOUT 1800 CST ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT. THEY STOPPED AT MIDLAND, TX WHERE THEY BORROWED A COURTESY CAR AND DROVE TO A RESTAURANT. LATER, THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED ON A RETURN FLIGHT. AT ABOUT 2320 CST, THE PILOT MADE A RADIO CALL (INTENDED TO THE SAN ANGELO TOWER) AND ANNOUNCED THAT HE WAS 17 MILES NORTHWEST FOR LANDING. THE AIRCREW OF RIO AIRLINES FLIGHT 715 HEARD THE TRANSMISSION AND INFORMED THE PILOT THAT THE TOWER WAS CLOSED, BUT THE RUNWAY LIGHTS WERE ON. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SLIGHTLY RISING TERRAIN IN A NEAR LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE PLANE BOUNCED AND CONTINUED ANOTHER 384 FT BEFORE THE SECOND GROUND IMPACT. THE MAIN WRECKAGE CONTINUED ANOTHER 420 FT BEFORE IT CAME TO REST AND BURNED. THE IMPACT AREA WAS IN SPARSELY POPULATED RANGE LAND WHERE THERE WAS AN ABSENCE OF LIGHTS. NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURES WERE EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6662Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6662Y-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N E-1573, built 1979 (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-1573
- Airframe hours: 296
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Warren J. Hartmann
- Registered owner: Warren J. Hartmann
- Departed: MAF, MIDLAND, TX
- Destination: SJT, SAN ANGELO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 255 total, 177 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Observed at: SJT, 14 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 19821216070499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821216070499A), Dec 16, 1982: Beech A36, Carlsbad, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Impacted the side of a hill at night near destination. No ground lights in area. Speed indicates a cruise descent.

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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