# NTSB FTW89LA131: Cessna 172K, N758AN, Blanco, TX, July 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 9, 1989, 14:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Blanco, TX
- Coordinates: 30.090286, -98.419746 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0903&lon=-98.4197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89LA131

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS BY NOT IDENTIFYING THE WIND DIRECTION ALONG WITH THE FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE TAILWIND, WIRES AND TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - wind information - not identified, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT AND THE COMMERCIAL RATED INSTRUCTOR PILOT WERE PRACTICING LANDINGS AND HAD JUST COMPLETED A GO-AROUND AND ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTOR, THEY ENCOUNTERED A WINDSHEAR OF MINUS 15 KNOTS AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE LINE, TREES AND THEN THE TERRAIN. THEY WERE MAKING LANDINGS ON RWY 30 AND THE REPORTED PREVAILING WINDS IN THE AREA WERE FROM THE SOUTH. ACCORDING TO THE SEQUENCES FROM THE WEATHER REPORTING STATIONS IN THE AREA, THERE WERE NO WEATHER SYSTEMS THAT WOULD LIKELY CAUSE VERTICAL WINDSHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758AN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N758AN-1993-04-05), registration cancelled 1993-04-05, S/N R1722943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1722943
- Airframe hours: 833
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Duggan, Charles M.
- Registered owner: Duggan, Charles M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1988, 13 hours before
- Departed: 3R5, NEW BRAUNFELS, TX
- Airport: NONE, runway 30, 2,600 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 673 total, 671 in this make and model, 433 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19890709021149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890709021149A), Jul 9, 1989: Cessna 172K, Blanco, TX, Substantial damage. Collided with wires on climbout from touch and go. Blamed wind shear but no weather systems in area. CFI was ptc.

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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