# NTSB FTW88FA006: Cessna 172RG, N9693B, Refugio, TX, October 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1987, 06:15 local (11:15 UTC)
- Place: Refugio, TX
- Location: 28.3074° N, 97.2750° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Refugio, TX, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3074&lon=-97.2750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA006

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT CONTINUED VFR FLT INTO WX THAT WAS IMC. THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN AN EXTREMELY NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF THE PILOT RECEIVING ANY PRE-FLT OR IN FLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS OR FORECASTS FOR THIS FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED NORMAL (ALTHOUGH WAVERING) ENGINE SOUNDS JUST PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9693B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0972
- Airframe hours: 855
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gary Haltom, doing business as Haltom Aircraft Maintenance
- Registered owner: Dan Sieg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 29, 1987, 112 hours before
- Departed: RKP, ROCKPORT, TX
- Destination: CRS, CORSICANA, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; flight hours: 251 total, 83 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 60° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NIR, 46 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 19871016059889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871016059889A), Oct 16, 1987: Cessna 172RG, Refugio, TX, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Wreckage indicates VFR pilot lost control of aircraft while flying in a dense fog. High velocity ground impact.

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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