# NTSB FTW90FA005: Cessna 208, N208W, Uncertain, TX, October 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1989, 22:05 local (Oct 7, 1989, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Uncertain, TX
- Coordinates: 32.619663, -94.139427 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6197&lon=-94.1394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 5 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA005
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA005

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND FAILURE OF THE AIRCREW TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT AND CLEARANCE FROM THE HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS (TREES) BESIDE THE RUNWAY.  RELATED FACTORS WERE: WEATHER CONDITIONS, DARK NIGHT, LACK OF RUNWAY EDGE LIGHTS, LACK OF VISUAL PERCEPTION BY THE PILOT(S), AND TREES BESIDE THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT TOOK OFF AT NGT FROM A PVT/UNLIGHTED STRIP WITH A PROFESSIONAL (ATP) PLT & THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED OWNER/PLT AT THE CONTROLS. AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ACFT ENTERED A SLIGHT LEFT TURN. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT HIT THE TOP OF A TALL PINE TREE, ABOUT 80 FT AGL & 202 FT LEFT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED INTO OTHER TREES AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL 450 FT. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DETERMINE WHICH PLT WAS ACTUALLY FLYING THE ACFT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS SHOWED THE OWNER HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.041% (41 MG/DL) & A URINE/ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.012% (12 MG/DL). TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PROFESSIONAL PLT'S BLOOD & URINE WERE NEGATIVE FOR ALCOHOL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N208W (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20800115
- Airframe hours: 980
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Winchester Air, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1989, 84 hours before
- Destination: 81J, DESTIN, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Vaughan'S, runway 15, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SHV, 28 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 19891006039179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891006039179A), Oct 6, 1989: Cessna 208, Uncertain, TX, Destroyed, 5 fatal. Departed at night,unlighted Private strip. Struck trees on side of runway on climbout. Burned.

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.