# NTSB FTW85LA333: Cessna 305A, N6393T, League City, TX, August 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1985, 08:25 local (13:25 UTC)
- Place: League City, TX
- Coordinates: 29.47973, -95.099502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4797&lon=-95.0995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA333
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA333

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT, WHILE SETTING UP FOR AN AERIAL BANNER TOW PICK UP,  FAILED TO PROPERLY DIVIDE HIS ATTENTION BETWEEN HIS FLT DUTIES AND OBSERVING ANOTHER ACFT WHICH WAS ALSO IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. HE ALLOWED THE ACFT TO STALL WITHOUT SUFFICIENTALT TO RECOVER BEFORE GROUND IMPACT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6393T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6393T), registered now, S/N 21146 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A
- Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21146
- Airframe hours: 5534
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert L. Dittert, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: SPX, LEAGUE CITY, TX
- Airport: SPX, Houston Gulf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,855 total, 2,602 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 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 19850825040269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850825040269A), Aug 25, 1985: Cessna 305A, League City, TX, Destroyed. Let airspeed and altitude get low, bank too steep while watching other airplane. Unable to recover, hit ground.

## Other investigations on N6393T (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 NYC67F0545](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0545), Oct 12, 1966: Cessna 305A (N6393T), Warren, VT, 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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