# NTSB FTW83FRG03: Cessna 340, N5906M, Benavides, TX, December 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 16, 1982, 18:30 local (Dec 17, 1982, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Benavides, TX
- Location: 27.5969° N, 98.4138° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Benavides, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5969&lon=-98.4138&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69926
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FRG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69926/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FRG03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A DEER HUNTER SAW THE AIRCRAFT ON A FINAL APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD AT DUSK, WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS DOWN. HE STATED THAT WHEN IT WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH AN ESTIMATED 600 LBS OF MARIJUANA, MOST OF WHICH WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. A HIGH ALTITUDE NAVIGATIONAL CHART WAS FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE. THE CHART CONTAINED A LINE BETWEEN TWO NAVIGATIONAL POINTS (ONE IN MEXICO & ONE IN THE UNITED STATES). THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STOLEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5906M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5906M-1983-08-26), registration cancelled 1983-08-26, S/N 340-0064 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340
- Registry model: [Cessna 340](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340) (registry code 2076404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340-0064
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-1 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: David Russell Burton
- Registered owner: Raymond Tamez Jr.
- Departed: GUADALAJARA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 579 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 70° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 151 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALI, 20 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 19821216064949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821216064949A), Dec 16, 1982: Cessna 340CESSNA, Benavides, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot was attempting off airport landing and stalled aircraft on short final approach.

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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