# NTSB FTW85LA340: Cessna L-19E, N3255X, Palo Pinto, TX, August 30, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1985, 17:20 local (22:20 UTC)
- Place: Palo Pinto, TX
- Location: 32.7734° N, 98.3022° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Palo Pinto, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7734&lon=-98.3022&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA340
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA340

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS REPORTED BY WITNESSES TO HAVE BEEN FLYING VERY LOW OVER A LAKE JUST PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH PWR LINES AFTER PASSING OVER A DAM AND WAS DESTROYED ON GROUND IMPACT. THE PLT REPORTED A LOSS PWR WAS EXPERIENCED.THE ENG WAS TEST RUN WITH NO INDICATION OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3255X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3255X-2012-09-18), registration cancelled 2012-09-18, S/N 24518 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA L-19E
- Registry model: [Cessna L-19E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-l-19e) (registry code 2074016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24518
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-15 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William D. Barret Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TX05, MCKINNEY, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FTW

## 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 19850830042089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850830042089A), Aug 30, 1985: Cessna L19E, Palo Pinto, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck powerlines below the dam at possum kingdom lake while buzzing the area. No mechanical malfunction found.

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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