# NTSB FTW89LA054: Cessna 182A, N3826D, Brownsville, TX, February 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 22, 1989, 17:18 local (23:18 UTC)
- Place: Brownsville, TX
- Coordinates: 25.919332, -97.479812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.9193&lon=-97.4798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA054

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO COMPENSATE FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY. THE WIND CONDITIONS AND THE SUNGLARE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ON AN APPROACH TO LAND TO THE WEST AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTHEAST AT 11 TO 15 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SETTING SUN 'BLINDED' HIM, ALLOWING HIM TO DRIFT LEFT OF COURSE AND STRIKE A TREE. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN ON THE AIRSTRIP AND SOUTH OF THE APPROACH END, COMING TO REST INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3826D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3826D-1990-07-28), registration cancelled 1990-07-28, S/N 34526 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34526
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vel-Tex Tile Mfg Co. Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 22, 1989, 1 hours before
- Departed: BRO, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Destination: NONE, BROWNSVILLE, TX
- Airport: NONE, Reem Air Ltd., runway 27, 2,100 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 235 total, 65 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BRO, 1 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 19890222002379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890222002379A), Feb 22, 1989: Cessna 182A, Brownsville, TX, Substantial damage. Blinded by sun on close final for Private strip. Drifted off runway alignment and struck trees. Crashed inverted.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.