# NTSB FTW88DRA11: Cessna L-19E, N3946L, Conroe, TX, April 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1988, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Conroe, TX
- Location: 30.3534° N, 95.4151° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CONROE/NORTH HOUSTON RGNL (CXO), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3534&lon=-95.4151&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 July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22480
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88DRA11
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22480/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DRA11

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED BY WITNESSES MAKING A CHANDELLE-LIKE MANEUVER FROM TAKEOFF. AT THE TOP, THE NOSE AND RIGHT WING DROPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 180 DEGREES OF TURN. THE WINGS WERE ALMOST LEVEL WHEN THE AIRPLANE HIT THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE BURNED AFTER IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3946L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3946L-2013-07-09), registration cancelled 2013-07-09, S/N 24731 (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: 34731
- Airframe hours: 3218
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11 213 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray Butters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1988, 5 hours before
- Airport: CXO, Montgomery County, runway 1, 4,600 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,209 total, 3,116 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880430040679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880430040679A), Apr 30, 1988: Cessna L19E, Conroe, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took off,came back over airport,low altitude. Made steep climbing turn. Stalled and impacted on runway. Burned.

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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