# NTSB FTW83FRG04: Cessna 182L, N42717, Near Mcallen, TX, December 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 19, 1982, 20:30 local (Dec 20, 1982, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Near Mcallen, TX
- Coordinates: 26.210132, -98.23056 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2101&lon=-98.2306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83FRG04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83FRG04

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - performed, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED MCALLEN, TX AT 1903 CST TO AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION. DURING DEPARTURE, IT WAS OBSERVED HEADING NORTHWEST. ABOUT 1 1/2 HRS LATER, IT WAS AGAIN OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY, ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCALLEN, TX. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLANE MADE SEVERAL PASSES WITH NO LIGHTS ON, THEN CRASHED AND BURNED. TWO OF THE WITNESSES THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER THE CRASH, VOICES WERE HEARD IN THE AREA. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE'S RIGHT WING HAD STRUCK A TREE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. ABOUT 200 LBS OF MARIJUANA WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND ANOTHER 200 LBS WAS LOCATED ON THE GROUND IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42717](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42717-2013-07-16), registration cancelled 2013-07-16, S/N 18259160, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259160
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 144 °F
- Observed at: MFE, 7 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 19821219066889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821219066889A), Dec 19, 1982: Cessna 182, Mcallen, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft struck a tree while dumping bales of marijuana from tree top altitude at dark night. Crashed and burned.

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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