# NTSB FTW88FA005: Cessna 175, N6512E, Crystal City, TX, October 13, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1987, 20:30 local (Oct 13, 1987, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Crystal City, TX
- Coordinates: 28.68081, -99.819107 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.6808&lon=-99.8191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA005

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A NIGHT VISUAL APCH TO HIS UNLIGHTED PVT STRIP WHEN THE ACFT STRUCK TREES, FLEW UNDER A PWR LINE,STRUCK ADDITIONAL TREES & SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GND. THE ACDNT OCCURRED APRX 2.5 MILES SHORT OF THE THRESHOLD. SAMPLES OF THE PLT'S BLOOD WERE DRAWN ABOUT 3.5 HRS AFTER THE ACDNT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.03%, 423 NG/ML OF METHAMPHETAMINE & 28 NG/ML OF AMPHETAMINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6512E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6512E-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 56012, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56012
- Airframe hours: 3091
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles S. Carr
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1987, 9 hours before
- Departed: T30, PEARSALL, TX
- Destination: PVT
- Airport: Private, runway 3, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,235 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 100° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DLF, 80 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 19871012059419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871012059419A), Oct 12, 1987: Cessna 175, Crystal City, TX, Destroyed. Struck trees on final for night landing on an unlighted Private strip. Did have flashing yellow lights on threshold

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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