# NTSB FTW85FA090: Cessna 172L, N2823Q, Galveston, TX, December 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1984, 20:36 local (Dec 30, 1984, 02:36 UTC)
- Place: Galveston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.28042, -94.830192 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2804&lon=-94.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21522
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21522/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA090

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A RECENTLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WITH NO KNOWN INSTRUMENT TRAINING WAS GIVEN A 'VFR NOT RECOMMENDED' WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A RETURN TRIP ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE PREDICTED TO, AND DID, DETERIORATE RAPIDLY.  HE TOOK OFF AND TURNED ON COURSE, ENCOUNTERED IMC AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE LEAVING THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP INVERTED DIVE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2823Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2823Q-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 17259823, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259823
- Engines: LYCOMING 0320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Royce Hayden Morgan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 18, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: GLS, GALVESTON, TX
- Destination: IWS, HOUSTON, TX
- Airport: GLS, Scholes, runway 13, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLS, 1 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 19841229069729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841229069729A), Dec 29, 1984: Cessna 172L, Galveston, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control after takeoff into fog. Impacted pole in inverted steep dive. Not instrument rated.

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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