# NTSB FTW90DRG01: Funk, D.D. B85C, N77707, San Antonio, TX, October 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 26, 1989, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.450836, -98.390281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.4508&lon=-98.3903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22992
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22992/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRG01

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED, WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL. THE UNFAVORABLE/GUSTY WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHEN THE PILOT TOOK OFF, THERE WERE NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS & RAINSHOWERS IN THE AREA. TOWERING CUMULUS CLOUDS WERE REPORTED IN ALL QUADRANTS & THE WIND WAS REPORTED TO BE GUSTING TO 25 KTS. AFTER DEPARTING FROM RUNWAY 16, THE PILOT MADE RIGHT TURNS TO THE NORTH & BEGAN A CLIMB. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE WHEN IT ENTERED A DESCENT & CRASHED. IMPACT OCCURRED JUST WEST OF THE ARPT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77707](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77707), registered now, S/N 337, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B85C
- Registry model: [Mcclish FUNK B85C](https://openairdocs.org/model/mcclish-funk-b85c) (registry code 5480108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337
- Airframe hours: 1515
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-12F 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James L. George
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1989, 24 hours before
- Departed: 74R
- Destination: SSF
- Airport: 74R, San Antonio Horizon

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 385 total, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAT, 12 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 19891026043109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891026043109A), Oct 26, 1989: Mclish B85C, San Antonio, TX, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed on climbing downwind turn after takeoff.

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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