# NTSB FTW90GA088: Cessna 337G, N1886M, Notrees, TX, March 29, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 29, 1990, 12:07 local (18:07 UTC)
- Place: Notrees, TX
- Coordinates: 31.920345, -102.760673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9203&lon=-102.7607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90GA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90GA088

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO KNOWN IMC.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - tower(marked)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING, THE PILOT WAS INFORMED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.  HE DEPARTED IN VFR CONDITIONS WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS 29 MILES FROM THE DESTINATION, IT IMPACTED A 400 FT TALL ANTENNA TOWER, 60 FEET FROM THE TOP. AS THE AIRPLANE WENT FORWARD AND DOWN, THE TOWER COLLAPSED IN MANY DIRECTIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE PILOT RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES. NO PRE-IMPACT PROBLEMS WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE OR ENGINES. A WITNESS THAT WAS 10 MILES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE, SAID THE AREA HAD BEEN TOTALLY FOGGED IN, BUT THAT JUST BEFORE THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE FOG HAD STARTED TO LIFT ENOUGH SO HE COULD SEE UNDER THE FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1886M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1886M-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N 33701486, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337G
- Registry model: [Cessna 337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337g) (registry code 2075730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33701486
- Airframe hours: 2258
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Avco Mod Service
- Registered owner: Robert Burke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1987
- Departed: ELP, EL PASO, TX
- Destination: MAF, MIDLAND, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total, 100 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 16 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MAF, 38 nm away

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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