# NTSB FTW90LA121: Cessna 140, N76728, Fabens, TX, June 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1990, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Fabens, TX
- Coordinates: 31.500993, -106.149269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5010&lon=-106.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23141
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23141/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90LA121

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT, WHICH RESULTED IN A FAILURE OF EACH PILOT TO SEE-AND-AVOID THE OTHER AIRCRAFT.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: FAILURE OF THE RYAN ST-3KR PILOT TO MAKE TRAFFIC ADVIZORIES WHILE ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND APPROACHING TO LAND.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - traffic advisory - not issued, pilot of other aircraft (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - traffic advisory - not issued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

FOUR ACFT DEPD CARLSBAD, NM, ON A FLT TO FABENS, TX.  THE 1ST OF THE 4 ACFT TO ENTER THE TFC PATTERN AT FABENS WAS CESSNA 140, N76728.  IT ENTERED THE PATTERN BEHIND A HIGH WING CESSNA (BORDER PATROL ACFT) THAT LANDED ON RWY 26. HOWEVER, SINCE THE WIND FAVORED RWY 8, THE 140 PLT 'PASSED OVER 26,'  ENTERED A DOWNWIND FOR RWY 8 & ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTIONS ON THE UNICOM FREQ.  WHEN THE BORDER PATROL ACFT CLRD RWY 26, THE 140 PLT CONTD HIS APCH TO LND ON RWY 8. HE ASSUMED THE PLTS OF THE OTHER 3 ACFT OF THE FLT WOULD FOLLOW HIM.  THE 2ND ACFT OF THE FLT WAS A RYAN ST-3KR, N48743.  THE RYAN PLT SAW THE HIGH WING CESSNA (BORDER PATROL ACFT) CLR RWY 26 & ELECTED TO LAND ON THAT RWY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CESSNA 140 & RYAN ST-3KR CONVERGED WHILE LANDING FROM OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.  THE CESSNA 140 PLT SAW THE RYAN ST-3KR JUST BEFORE IMPACT, BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N76728](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76728), registered now, S/N 11160, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11160
- Airframe hours: 1909
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Don S. Singleton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1990, 15 hours before
- Departed: CNM, CARLSBAD, NM
- Destination: E35
- Airport: E35, Fabens, runway 8, 4,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N48743](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N48743-2018-12-01), registration cancelled 2018-12-01, S/N 1287, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ryan ST-3KR
- Registry model: [Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-aeronautical-st3kr) (registry code 7830502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Kinner R5 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/kinner-r5-series) (registry code 37504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1287
- Engines: KINNER R55 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman D. Justice
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1989
- Departed: CNM, CARLSBAD, NM
- Destination: E35
- Airport: E35, Fabens, runway 26, 4,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N76728; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 500 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N48743; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 659 total, 480 in this make and model, 601 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900620021572A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900620021572A), Jun 20, 1990: Cessna 140, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. While landing collided with opposite traffic N48743 that was landing 26. Used evasion maneuver but wing collided.
- [Accident 19900620021571A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900620021571A), Jun 20, 1990: Ryan ST3KR, Fabens, TX, Substantial damage. On landing roll collided with opposite traffic N76728 landing on 08. Several ryans landing. One called clear runway

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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