# NTSB FTW86FA019: Gulfstream American AA-5B, N28228, Ozona, TX, October 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1985, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Ozona, TX
- Coordinates: 30.699649, -101.200859 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6996&lon=-101.2009&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): 21876
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA019
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21876/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA019

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED APCHG THE DESTINATION WHILE FLYING UNDER A CLOUD COVER OF APRX 1000 FT AGL. WHEN IT REACHED THE VICINITY OF THE ARPT, THE PLT MADE A TURN & SUBSEQUENTLY ENTERED THE CLOUDS. A WITNESS HEARD WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS VARIATIONS IN ENG POWER. VERY SHORTLY THEREAFTER, HE SAW THE ACFT EMERGE FROM THE CLOUDS IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND BEFORE THE PLT RECOVERED FROM THE DIVE. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT HAD ONLY ABOUT 2 HRS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT FLT TIME WHICH WAS LISTED AS DUAL INSTRUCTION. THE ACFT WAS PARTIALLY DISINTEGRATED DURING THE CRASH WITH SOME PARTS TRAVELING MORE THAN 400 FT FROM THE IMPACT POINT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. A TOXICOLOGY REPORT SHOWED THAT THE PLT'S LIVER FLUID TISSUE HAD AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.122% ALCOHOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N28228 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AASB-0950
- Airframe hours: 2895
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: William G. Podoll, doing business as Hill Country Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 8, 1985, 96 hours before
- Departed: T82, FREDRICKSBURG, TX
- Airport: Riggs Ranch (Pvt)

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 308 total, 251 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT, 58 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 19851024056249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851024056249A), Oct 24, 1985: Gulstm AA5B, Ozona, TX, Destroyed. VFR pilot entered clouds and was seen emerging in 45 degree nose down until impact. Consumption of alohol a factor.

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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