# NTSB FTW89FA073: Cessna 172XP, N736RT, Hondo, TX, March 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1989, 03:08 local (09:08 UTC)
- Place: Hondo, TX
- Coordinates: 29.349061, -99.149299 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3491&lon=-99.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO DEPART INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER AND HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT ELECTED TO TAKEOFF AFTER BEING TOLD BY THE AIRPORT MANAGER OF AN IMPENDING FRONTAL PASSAGE WITH ASSOCIATED THUNDERSTORMS. HE ALSO WAS INFORMED BY APPROACH CONTROL TO REMAIN ON THE GROUND UNTIL AFTER THE FRONTAL PASSAGE HAD OCCURRED. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, DURING A THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY RAIN AND LIGHTNING. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND DURING THE INVESIGATION. THE PILOT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736RT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736RT-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N R1722735, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172XP
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1722735
- Airframe hours: 1144
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Ray Chitty
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1988, 154 hours before
- Departed: T89, CASTROVILLE, TX
- Destination: CZT, CARRIZO SPRINGS, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 317 total, 247 in this make and model, 312 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HDO, 10 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 19890328004839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890328004839A), Mar 28, 1989: Cessna R172K, Hondo, TX, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Struck powerlines at night while trying to fly under a thunderstrom. Ignored ATC advice to wait out frontal weather.

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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