# NTSB FTW89LA057: Cessna U206, N8096Z, San Angelo, TX, February 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1989, 20:50 local (Feb 3, 1989, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: San Angelo, TX
- Coordinates: 31.609151, -100.550354 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6092&lon=-100.5504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA057

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE DURING CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND DARK NIGHT WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLOAT PLANE PLT WAS ON A VFR FLT AT NIGHT TO NASWORTHY LAKE NEAR SAN ANGELO, TX. HE CONTINUED INTO DETERIORATING WX CONDITIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, WHILE CRUISING BELOW THE CLOUDS, THE ACFT IMPACTED TERRAIN AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 2500' MSL. IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN 3500' MSL & ENCOUNTERED STRONG DOWNDRAFTS. HOWEVER, IN EARLIER CONVERSATIONS WITH AN FAA COORDINATOR, HE INDICATED HE WAS TRYING TO MAINTAIN A LOWER ALTITUDE (APRX 200' AGL). RPRTDLY, IMPACT OCCURRED AS THE ACFT WAS FLYING AT ABOUT 90 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8096Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8096Z-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N U206-0496, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206
- Registry model: [Cessna U206A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206a) (registry code 2073316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-0496
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hutton, Eden P.
- Registered owner: Hutton, Eden Piers Patrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, RED BLUFF LAKE, TX
- Destination: NONE, NASWORTHY LAKE, TX
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 569 total, 151 in this make and model, 368 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJT, 39 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 19890202002679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890202002679A), Feb 2, 1989: Cessna U206A, San Angelo, TX, Substantial damage. Descended due to clouds, fog and rain, flew into ground in rising terrain.

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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