# NTSB FTW89FA024: Cessna 337A, N5337S, Weatherford, TX, November 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1988, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Weatherford, TX
- Coordinates: 32.750923, -97.770622 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7509&lon=-97.7706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22755
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22755/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN MINIMUM REQUIRED AIRSPEED FOR SLOW FLIGHT (VS), RESULTING IN A STALL WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO RECOVER. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PIPER PILOT'S UNANNOUNCED FLY-BY, WHICH DIVERTED THE CESSNA PILOT'S ATTENTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DESCENDING HIS AIRPLANE WHILE IN SLOW FLIGHT WITH 10 DEGREES FLAPS IN A DOWNWIND TRACK TO LOOK AT PROPERTY THAT HE PLANNED TO PURCHASE. A SECOND AIRPLANE FLEW BY HIS AIRPLANE AT THE LOW ALTITUDE AND BANKED AWAY SHARPLY. THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE'S WINGS WOBBLED, THE NOSE DROPPED AND IT IMPACTED INTO AN OPEN WHEAT FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5337S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5337S-1989-05-12), registration cancelled 1989-05-12, S/N 3370437 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337A
- Registry model: [Cessna 337A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337a) (registry code 2075704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0437
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C&D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Grady E. David
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WEA, WEATHERFORD, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWL, 20 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 19881124051789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881124051789A), Nov 24, 1988: Cessna 337A, Weatherford, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed in slow flight at low altitude. Wings wobbled, nose pitched down. Struck ground nose and left wing low.

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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