# NTSB FTW84FA331: Cessna A185F, N6102E, Del Rio, TX, July 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 30, 1984, 01:30 local (06:30 UTC)
- Place: Del Rio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.370977, -100.889938 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3710&lon=-100.8899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21139
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21139/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA331

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT TOOK OF AT NIGHT APPROXIMATELY 30 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. GROUND SCARS INDICATED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE CREST OF A ROCKY HILL WHILE IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE ELEVATION OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 1750 FT. THE ACFT WAS DEMOLISHED BY IMPACT & FIRE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. LOCAL RESIDENTS STATED THAT THE SKY WAS VERY DARK WITH A LIGHT OVERCAST & NO MOON.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6102E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A185F
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503988
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jay Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1984
- Departed: DRT, DEL RIO, TX
- Destination: OZONA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 5,225 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19840730036119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840730036119A), Jul 30, 1984: Cessna A185F, Comstock, TX, Destroyed. Impacted terrain on dark night. Aircraft was in a nose low, wing low attitude at impact, heading back to del rio.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.