# NTSB FTW85FA245: Cessna 140, N3180N, Tioga, TX, June 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1985, 20:05 local (Jun 4, 1985, 01:05 UTC)
- Place: Tioga, TX
- Coordinates: 33.470748, -96.910964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4707&lon=-96.9110&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21553
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21553/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT APCHG FROM THE NORTHWEST AT AN ESTIMATED ALT OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL. AS IT PASSED THEIR POSITION, THE PLT ROLLED INTO A STEEP (90 DEG) RIGHT BANK, THEN ROLL BACK OUT. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACFT ROLLED OUT OF THE BANK, IT APPEARED TO BE 'SUSPENDED IN MIDAIR' & THE 'WINGS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH.'  THE NOSE THEN DROPPED & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 15 DEG, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AFTER IMPACT THE ACFT SKIDDED ABOUT 54 FT & CAME TO REST. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.132%. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 15 GUSTING 25 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3180N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3180N-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 13438, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13438
- Airframe hours: 3429
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-16F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mark Z. Kardum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1984, 38 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 420 total, 340 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ADD, 25 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 19850603025759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850603025759A), Jun 3, 1985: Cessna 140, Tioga, TX, Destroyed. Aircraft stalled and impacted the ground during buzzing run on houses. Pilot was flying while intoxicated.

## Other investigations on N3180N (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW66F0538](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0538), Mar 15, 1966: Cessna 140 (N3180N), Sulphur Sps, TX, substantial damage

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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