# NTSB FTW89LA061: Cessna 182, N735EZ, Robstown, TX, March 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1989, 22:24 local (Mar 3, 1989, 04:24 UTC)
- Place: Robstown, TX
- Coordinates: 27.790166, -97.659126 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7902&lon=-97.6591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22843
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22843/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA061

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DELAYED FLIGHT TO AN ALTERNATE DESTINATION, CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), EXPERIENCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION, HIS LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, DARK NIGHT, AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - issued
  - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach

## Analysis

THE PLT CONTACTED APCH CONTROL & RPRTD HE WAS VFR-ON-TOP WITH A LOW FUEL CONDITION. HE WAS RADAR VECTORED TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DSCNDD & RPRTD HE HAD THE ARPT IN SIGHT, BUT ONLY INTERMITTENTLY THRU THE CLOUDS & FOG. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED NEAR THE ARPT. APRX 750 LBS OF MARIJUANA WAS FOUND ABOARD THE ACFT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND DRG THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N735EZ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N735EZ-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 18265378 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18265378
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hampton Inns Developement Corp
- Registered owner: Hampton Inns Devel. Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: T53, Nueges County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; seat: left; flight hours: 4,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRP, 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 19890302002929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890302002929A), Mar 2, 1989: Cessna 182Q, Robstown, TX, Destroyed. Low on fuel and on top of fog layer vectored to an airport and descended until ground collision. Marijuana onboard

## Other investigations on N735EZ (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA81DLD14](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA81DLD14), Dec 2, 1980: Cessna 182Q (N735EZ), Winter Haven, FL, substantial damage

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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