# NTSB FTW83FA222: Cessna 170B, N3038A, Iraan, TX, May 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1983, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Iraan, TX
- Coordinates: 30.909374, -101.889587 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9094&lon=-101.8896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20721
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20721/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA222

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO A TRUCK DRIVER, HE WAS PROCEEDING NORTHBOUND ON A HIGHWAY, WHEN HE SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A LOOP FROM APRX 100 FT AGL. THE WITNESS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE SAW A LARGE EXPLOSION ON THE GROUND WHERE THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. RECENTLY, THE PLT HAD BEEN OBSERVED PERFORMING CHANDELLES & LAZY EIGHTS AT LOW ALT. ALSO, HE HAD RECENTLY DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF LOOPING THE ACFT & WAS ADVISED NOT TO. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A 20 TO 30 DEG NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED FORMAL TRAINING IN AEROBATICS. THE ACFT WAS CERTIFIED FOR UTILITY CATEGORY OF FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3038A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3038A-1983-08-12), registration cancelled 1983-08-12, S/N 25682 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25682
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John V. Klassen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1983
- Destination: E02, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 19 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 80 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 19830506017879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830506017879A), May 6, 1983: Cessna 170B, Iraan, TX, Destroyed. Stalled at top of low level loop. No room to recover. No acrobatic training. Was known to do low altitude maneuvers.

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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