# NTSB FTW83LA103: Cessna P337H, N4BX, La Porte, TX, February 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1983, 16:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: La Porte, TX
- Coordinates: 29.659606, -95.040016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6596&lon=-95.0400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, unknown
  - exhaust system,turbocharger - failure,partial (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT STARTED ITS INITIAL CLIMB, THEN ENTERED A SLOW DESCENT. THE FLIGHT WAS CONTINUED UNTIL THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TV CABLE, SUSPENDED BELOW TELEPHONE CABLES ON THE SAME POLES. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND, BOUNCED & BECAME AIRBORNE 2 TIMES, THEN CONTINUED ON THE GROUND. THE PLANE CROSSED A ROAD, HIT A ROAD SIGN, RAN THROUGH A FENCE, HIT A DETACHED GARAGE, THEN FLIPPED INVERTED & STOPPED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE REAR ENGINE LOST EITHER PARTIAL OR ALL POWER. A MECHANIC REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT TAXI WITH THE AFT ENGINE NOT OPERATING. REPORTEDLY, HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE PLT TO TELL HIM. NO ROTATIONAL DAMAGE WAS NOTED ON THE AFT PROPELLER. DURING AN OPERATIONAL EXAM OF THE POWER PLANTS, THE AFT ENGINE CHECKED NORMAL, BUT THE FRONT ENGINE WOULD DEVELOP ONLY APRX 200 HP INSTEAD OF THE 225 RATED TAKEOFF HP DUE TO A FAULTY ENGINE TURBO CONTROLLER. THE PLT TOLD A POLICE OFFICER THAT HE HAD A COUPLE OF DRINKS & WAS ARRESTED FOR INTOXICATION WHEN HE REFUSED A BREATHALIZER TEST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4BX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4BX-2011-03-08), registration cancelled 2011-03-08, S/N P3370307, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P337H
- Registry model: [Cessna P337H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p337h) (registry code 2075731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P3370307
- Airframe hours: 660
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-C 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Talmadge Tinsley Co., Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: T39, HUNTSVILLE, TX
- Airport: T41, La Porte, runway 4, 3,000 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 16,698 total, 260 in this make and model, 16,232 as pilot in command, 112 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19830203002309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830203002309A), Feb 3, 1983: Cessna P337H, La Porte, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft crashed after hitting wires during takeoff. Pilot claimed he lost power. Pilot was arrested, intoxication.

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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