FTW83FA226

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 182R · New Braunfels, TX · May 10, 1983

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
May 9, 1983, 23:53 local (May 10, 1983, 04:53 UTC)
Place
New Braunfels, TX
Injuries
4 fatal
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N5134ECessna 182R
Weather
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19830509020809A
Case key
20722

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight encounter with weatherTakeoff - initial climb
Flight into known adverse weather - initiatedPilot in commandFactor
Weather condition - low ceilingFactor
Weather condition - fogFactor
Weather condition - rainFactor
Vfr flight into imc - continuedPilot in commandCause
Overconfidence in personal abilityPilot in commandFactor
In flight collision with objectCruise
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Visual lookout - attemptedPilot in command
Object - wire,transmissionFactor
Clearance - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

At 2006 CDT, before departing san antonio, TX, the plt obtained a wx breifing. At that time, he was advised to expect VFR conditions on his flt to san marcos, TX, but IFR conditions were expected when he planned to return at about midnight. The plt flew to san marcos where he performed a comedy act for a night club. He began his return flt early to avoid forcasted deteriorating wx. Reportedly, light rain & fog were present before the acft departed san marcos. While on the return flt, the plt was flying along an interstate highway when the acft collided with 2 power line cables which crossed over the roadway. The acft then impacted the ground about 500 yards beyond the power line & burned. The cables were estimated to be 110 ft AGL before they were severed by impact. A witness, who was a plt, estimated the acft was flying about 75 to 100 ft AGL before impact. He estimated the clouds bases were about 200 to 300 ft AGL & said there was rain & slight fog in the area. Reportedly, the plt started to pull up just before impact.

Aircraft

Registration
N5134E
Reported as
Cessna 182R
Category
Airplane
Serial number
18268291
Airframe hours
232
Engine
Continental O-470-U, 230 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Fire
In-Flight
Flight
Business · Part 91
Registered owner
Galen G. Gilbert
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
T98 · San Marcos, TX
Destination
SAT · San Antonio, TX

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
34
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed

Weather

Conditions
Instrument (IMC) · Night/dark
Wind
70° at 12 knots
Visibility
2 statute miles
Temperature
63 °F, dew point 59 °F
Altimeter
29.00 inHg

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.