# NTSB FTW86FA063: Cessna 177RG, N8047G, Dallas, TX, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1986, 00:40 local (06:40 UTC)
- Place: Dallas, TX
- Coordinates: 33.000591, -96.789657 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0006&lon=-96.7897&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): 21896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA063

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - hail (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - failure,total (cause)
  - flight advisories - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ADVISED BY THE FAA WEATHER BRIEFER, PRIOR TO FLIGHT, AGAINST MAKING THIS FLIGHT DUE TO PRESENT AND FORECAST WEATHER CONDITIONS. AFTER ARRIVING IN THE GENERAL AREA OF HIS DESTINATION THE PLT OBSERVED THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND COMMENTED ON THIER SEVERITY TO THE FAA CONTROLLER. THE LOCAL CONTROLLER SUGGESTED THREE TIMES THAT THE FLIGHT DIVERT TO LOVE FIELD. THE MOST PROBABLE REASON FOR THE PLT NOT DIVERTING WAS THAT A FRIEND WAS AWAITING HIS ARRIVAL AT ADDISON AIRPORT. THE PLT WAS POSSIBLY INCAPACITATED BY HAIL IMPACT AFTER THE WINDSHIELD HAD SEPARATED. FURTHERMORE, CESSNA ENGINEERS STATED THE AIRCRAFT MOST PROBABLY WOULD BE UNCONTROLLABLE WITHOUT THE WINDSHIELD IN PLACE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8047G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8047G-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 177RG0047, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0047
- Airframe hours: 3004
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mark S. Mayer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 5, 1985, 8 hours before
- Departed: GUP, GALLUP, NM
- Destination: ADS, ADDISON, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 14 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAL, 10 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 19860412011399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860412011399A), Apr 12, 1986: Cessna 177RG, Dallas, TX, Destroyed. Lost control and impacted ground after severe hail broke windshield. Insisted on entering area of thunderstorm.

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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