# NTSB FTW83FA176: Cessna 172N, N734ZR, Cuero, TX, April 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1983, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cuero, TX
- Coordinates: 29.089952, -97.279212 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0900&lon=-97.2792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20717
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20717/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, unqualified person (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, unqualified person (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, unqualified person (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-RATED PLT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY EMPLOYED BY THE OPERATOR & KNEW WHERE THE KEYS OF THE ACFT HAD BEEN KEPT. HE HAD NO KNOWN FLIGHT TRAINING, BUT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN A PASSENGER IN THE ACFT ON AT LEAST ONE OCASION. HE TOOK THE ACFT WITHOUT PERMISSION, PRESUMABLY TO TAKE TWO FRIENDS ON A JOY RIDE. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL & INITIAL CLIMB, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT THEN WENT INTO A STEEP, SLOW SPEED TURN, ENTERED A NEAR VERTICAL, SPINNING DIVE, CRASHED INTO A LARGE METAL BUILDING & BURNED. THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE FROM THE NORTH AT 10 GUSTING 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734ZR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734ZR-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17269249 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269249
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dewayne Overholfer
- Registered owner: Henry Gardner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: T71, Cuero, runway 32, 2,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 10 °F

## 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 19830402010659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830402010659A), Apr 2, 1983: Cessna 172N, Cuero, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Non pilot stalled and crashed into a barn shortly after takeoff in a stolen aircraft. Aircraft burned on impact.

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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