# NTSB FTW83LA425: Beech A36, N18BR, Daisetta, TX, September 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1983, 11:40 local (16:40 UTC)
- Place: Daisetta, TX
- Coordinates: 30.10947, -94.640739 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1095&lon=-94.6407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA425
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA425

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - issued, atc personnel(artcc)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - nacelle/pylon,skin - overload
  - nacelle/pylon,skin - undertorqued
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - failure,total
  - fuselage - overload

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT WAS BRIEFED ON THE WX, INCLUDING SIGMET 20C, WHICH CALLED FOR IMBEDDED THUNDERSTORMS. WHILE EN ROUTE, HE DEVIATED AROUND AN AREA OF WX & WAS PROVIDED VECTORS TO AVOID STORM CELLS. IN THE VICINITY OF DAISETTA, TX, THE CONTROLLER SUGGESTED A FURTHER DEVIATION TO THE NORTH DUE TO WX. THE PLT RESPONDED THAT A NORTH TURN WOULD TAKE HIM INTO A CB TYPE CLOUD. HE DECLINED THE TURN & CONTINUED ON HIS HEADING. ABOUT 10 MI LATER, WHILE CRUISING AT 8000 FT, HE ENCOUNTERED HEAVY RAIN & A VIOLENT DOWNDRAFT & LOST MORE THAN 3500 FT IN A SHORT TIME. DURING THE ENCOUNTER, THE ENG COWLING SEPARATED & KNOCKED OUT THE WINDSHIELD. THE PRIMARY FLT INSTRUMENTS BECAME INOP & EXTENSIVE DEFORMATION OF THE AIRFRAME WAS SUSTAINED. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY RECOVERED IN VFR CONDITIONS BELOW THE CLOUDS &MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING AT CLEVELAND, TX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N18BR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A36
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: E1889
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BA 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Dutschke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 3, 1983, 80 hours before
- Departed: BTR, BATON ROUGE, LA
- Destination: AAP, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,527 total, 275 in this make and model, 1,527 as pilot in command, 56 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 65 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 19830909047929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830909047929A), Sep 9, 1983: Beech A36, Daisetta, TX, Substantial damage. Aircraft encountered severe turbulence which caused substantial damage during IFR flight near thunderstorm.

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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