# NTSB FTW85LA198: Partenavia P68C, N76L, Tilden, TX, April 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 25, 1985, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Tilden, TX
- Coordinates: 28.449102, -98.539779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.4491&lon=-98.5398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21733
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21733/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue(chronic), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - company-induced pressure, company/operator management
  - terrain condition - ground
- Complete gear collapsed, other
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

AFTER APRX 1.5 HRS OF PIPELINE PATROL FLIGHT AT A PLANNED ALTITUDE OF 500 AGL THE ACFT FLEW INTO THE FLAT TERRAIN IN A LANDING ATTITUDE. THE ACFT WENT THROUGH A WIRE FENCE, HEAVY BRUSH AND SMALL TREES BEFORE COMING TO REST 437 FT FROM INITIAL GROUND CONTACT WITH ALL 3 GEAR COLLAPSED. A PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND THE PILOT'S STATEMENT INDICATE THAT THE PILOT WAS OPERATING UNDER AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF STRESS WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN CHRONIC FATIGUE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE WAS ACCUSTOMED TO A VERY HEAVY FLIGHT SCHEDULE. THE CHIEF PILOT ATTEMPTED TO ASSIGN AN ADDITIONAL PILOT BUT COMPANY BUDGET CONSTRAINTS PREVENTED SUCH AN ASSIGNMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76L-1985-06-13), registration cancelled 1985-06-13, S/N 292 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PARTENAVIA P68C
- Registry model: [Partenavia P.68C](https://openairdocs.org/model/partenavia-p-68c) (registry code 6780105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 292
- Airframe hours: 727
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AIB6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Transcontinental Gas Pipeline
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 15, 1985, 34 hours before
- Departed: CRP, CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
- Destination: IAH, HOUSTON, TX
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,020 total, 712 in this make and model, 5,420 as pilot in command, 237 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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