# NTSB FTW86LA036: Cessna 172N, N738DC, Corpus Christi, TX, January 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 21, 1986, 18:26 local (Jan 22, 1986, 00:26 UTC)
- Place: Corpus Christi, TX
- Coordinates: 27.840951, -97.600959 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.8410&lon=-97.6010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86LA036

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, missed approach (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - not followed, dual student (cause)
  - fatigue, dual student (contributing factor)
  - inadequate training, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS RECEIVING DUAL INSTRUMENT FLT INSTRUCTION. SHE HAD CONDUCTED SEVERAL PRACTICE INSTRUMENT APCHS, ALL IN VMC CONDITIONS. THE LAST WAS AN ILS TO RWY 13 AT CORPUS CHRISTI INT'L ARPT. IT STARTED IN VMC CONDITIONS BUT ENTERED CLOUDS AT ABOUT 550 FT. THE DESCENT CONTINUED TO ABOUT 300 FT AT WHICH TIME THE CFI CALLED A MISSED APCH. THE CFI STARTED A CLIMB TO ABOUT 350 FT AND HE FELT GROUND IMPACT. BEFORE IMPACT HE NOTED THE ACFT WAS IN A 20 DEG RIGHT BANK AND HE LEVELED THE WINGS. THE STUDENT STATED SHE WAS IN A STATE OF FATIGUE WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. SHE HAD BEEN USING THE AIRSPEED AND VERTICAL SPPED INDICATORS TO VERIFY THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING. SHE MADE NO REFERENCE TO THE ATTITUDE INDICATOR FOR PITCH CONTROL. THE CFI STATED HE SPENT 3 OR 4 HRS WITH THE STUDENT DOING BASIC AIRWORK. THE CFI HAD RENEWED HIS CFI CERTIFICATE 3 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT BY ATTENDING A FAA APPROVED GROUND TRAINING COURSE. THERE WAS NO FLT CHECK INVOLVED IN THE CERTIFICATE RENEWAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N738DC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269887
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: R.B. Gulley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1985
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CRP, Corpus Christi In'L, runway 13, 7,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,880 total, 265 in this make and model, 1,716 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 13 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP

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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