- Date
- January 16, 1983, 03:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place
- Bay City, TX
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- TGSABDouglas DC-3
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Case key
- 20794
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 collision with terrain/water
Low pass - performedFactor
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Altitude - misjudgedCause
Propeller system/accessories - separationFactor
Wheels up landing - performedFactor
Analysis
The guatemalan registered acft collided with the ground while airdropping bales of marijuana on a beach. According to a witness, while the acft was making low passes over the beach the propeller struck the beach tearing it off the acft. The acft then continued about 600 ft & landed gear up on the beach. The crew unsuccessfully attempted to set the acft on fire. Sob & injuries are presumed.
Aircraft
- Registration
- TGSAB
- Reported as
- Douglas DC-3
- Category
- Airplane
- Engine
- unknown UNK/NR, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Transport
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Unknown, Unknown
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- PCX, 30 nm away