# NTSB FTW85FA025: Cessna 180, N602RD, Amarillo, TX, October 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1984, 23:10 local (Oct 27, 1984, 04:10 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.200412, -101.869125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2004&lon=-101.8691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA025

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

LAST RADIO CONTACT WAS A CLEARENCE TO DESCEND TO 5,000 FT MSL TO WHICH THE PLT RESPONDED 'TWO ROMEO DELTA.' CLOUD TOPS WERE NEAR 5,000 FT MSL. ACFT IMPACTED IN A HIGH SPEED DIVE APRX 10 DEG PAST VERTICLE. PLT RECEIVED COM/INST CERTIFICATE ON 12/14/84 AND THIS IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN HIS FIRST FLT IN ACTUAL IMC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N602RD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N602RD-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 31788 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31788
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Pool Spraying Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1983
- Departed: E19, GRUVER, OK
- Destination: AMA, AMARILLO, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AMA, 16 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 19841026061329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841026061329A), Oct 26, 1984: Cessna 180, Amarillo, TX, Destroyed. After numerous transmitter problems aircraft was cleared by ATC to descend. Impacted ground near vertical.

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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