# NTSB FTW83FA226: Cessna 182R, N5134E, New Braunfels, TX, May 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1983, 23:53 local (May 10, 1983, 04:53 UTC)
- Place: New Braunfels, TX
- Coordinates: 29.489076, -98.399009 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4891&lon=-98.3990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20722
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20722/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FA226

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - attempted, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5134E-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 18268291, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18268291
- Airframe hours: 232
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830509020809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830509020809A), May 9, 1983: Cessna 182R, New Braunfels, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck high voltage powerlines while trying to follow a highway at night in rain and fog, under low clouds.

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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