# NTSB FTW85FA065: Cessna 182B, N2406G, Brownsville, TX, December 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1984, 15:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Location: 25.9017° N, 97.4975° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Brownsville, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9017&lon=-97.4975&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21514
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21514/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA065

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - guy wire (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT HIT THE STABILIZATION WIRES ON A 300 FT FM RADIO TRANSMISSION TOWER FOLLOWED BY A COLLISION WITH POWER- LINES. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT & PASSG WERE ENROUTE TO THE BROWNSVILLE, TX, AIRPORT TO FLY A DC-3 CARGO ACFT TO MEXICO. AT 1453 CST, N2405G, CALLED BROWNSVILLE TOWER FROM 12 MILES WEST INBOUND, REQUESTING WX INFORMATION. N2406G ACKNOWLEDGED FLYING IN IFR WX CONDITIONS AT THIS TIME. THE TOWER REQUESTED THE PLT'S INTENTIONS & INFORMED HIM THAT IF AN IFR CLEARANCE WAS REQUESTED N2406G WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT APPROACH CONTROL ON FREQUENCY 119.5. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2406G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2406G-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 51706 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5L706
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Matt Howell
- Registered owner: Cathy Mcqueen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1984
- Departed: MFE, MCALLEN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO, 9 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 19841203064269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841203064269A), Dec 3, 1984: Cessna 182B, Brownsville, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Tried to fly VFR through low ceiling and visibility. Struck radio antenna guy wires, then powerlines.

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.