# NTSB FTW83LA093: Douglas DC-3, Bay City, TX, January 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 16, 1983, 03:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Bay City, TX
- Coordinates: 28.970544, -95.960601 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9705&lon=-95.9606&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA093

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories - separation (contributing factor)
  - wheels up landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DOUGLAS DC-3
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: 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.

- 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

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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