# NTSB FTW83FA178: Cessna T310R, N6831T, Dalhart, TX, April 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1983, 21:11 local (Apr 4, 1983, 03:11 UTC)
- Place: Dalhart, TX
- Coordinates: 36.059009, -102.510879 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0590&lon=-102.5109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20718
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA178
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20718/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA178

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE PLT WAS APPROACHING DALHART, TX, HE WAS IN RADIO & RADAR CONTACT WITH ALBUQUERQUE ARTCC (CENTER). APRX 15 MI FROM DELHART, THE PLT ASKED CENTER ABOUT THE WX OVER DALHART. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FSS THERE WAS SHUT DOWN & NO CURRENT WX FOR DALHART WAS AVAILABLE. AS THE PLT CONTINUED, HE REPORTED SEEING A GLOW IN THE VICINITY OF DALHART & SAID THAT IT 'LOOKS LIKE THEY'VE GOT A FOG OR SOMETHING.' AT APPRX 2111 CST, THE CENTER ADVISED THAT RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST & CLEARED THE FLT FROM CENTER FREQ. THE PLT REPLIED THAT HE 'WENT INTO A LITTLE CLOUD BANK, A LITTLE SHOWER, RIGHT HERE.' SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE ACFT CRASHED APPRX 2 MI SOUTH OF THE APCH END OF RWY 35. IMPACT OCCURRED, LEFT WING 1ST WHILE ON A NORTHERLY HEADING. A WX STUDY INDICATED THERE WAS A LOW OVERCAST IN THE AREA, BUT THE HEIGHT WAS NOT DETERMINED. AREA FORECASTS & SIGMETS WARNED OF POSSIBLE TURBULENCE IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6831T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T310R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R2115
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: John L. David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1982
- Departed: CLL, COLLEGE STATION, TX
- Destination: DHT
- Airport: DHT, Dalhart Muni, runway 35, 9,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 16 knots, gusting 24
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 70 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 19830403011099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830403011099A), Apr 3, 1983: Cessna T310R, Dalhart, TX, Destroyed. Witness reported turbulence in vicinity of crash. Aircraft crashed 2 miles short of runway 35.

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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