# NTSB FTW87FA032: Cessna 340A, N8CD, Tomball, TX, December 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 18, 1986, 06:21 local (12:21 UTC)
- Place: Tomball, TX
- Coordinates: 30.089239, -95.610092 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0892&lon=-95.6101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22224/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA032

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF IN FOG AND LIGHT RAIN AND CLIMBED INTO CLOUDS AT ABOUT 300-400 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHILE BOTH LANDING LIGHTS WERE EXTENDED AND ILLUMINATED. ALSO THE AIRPORT'S ROTATING BEACON (LOCATED AOBUT A MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE) WAS FLASHING ON THE CLOUDS ACCORDING TO A GROUND WITNESS. JUST AFTER ENTERING THE CLOUDS THE PILOT WAS ISSUED A LEFT TURN FROM HIS PRESENT HEADING OF 350 DEGREES TO A HEADING OF 270 DEGREES AND TOLD TO CONTACT DEPARTURE CONTROL. HE DID NOT MAKE THIS CONTACT AND HE CONTINUED THE LEFT TURN (NOW DESCENDING) TO A HEADING OF 210 DEGREES AT WHICH TIME THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A LARGE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINE AND THEN THE GROUND. THE ENGINES WERE OPERATING AT A HIGH POWER SETTING AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. ALL BROKEN FLIGHT CONTROL CABLES REVEALED EVIDENCE OF OVERSTRESS SEPARATION. NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - equipment,other - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Fire, other

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8CD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8CD-2009-05-14), registration cancelled 2009-05-14, S/N 340A0727, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0727
- Airframe hours: 2070
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Decks Of Houston, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1986, 6 hours before
- Departed: DWH, TOMBALL, TX
- Destination: RVS, TULSA, OK
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: DWH, David Wayne Hooks Mem.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,450 total, 200 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DWH, 1 nm away

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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