# NTSB FTW91FA072: Cessna 182A, N6172B, Fentress, TX, May 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1991, 14:48 local (19:48 UTC)
- Place: Fentress, TX
- Coordinates: 29.749052, -97.779785 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7491&lon=-97.7798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA072

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER MAJOR MODIFICATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE OPERATOR, AND THE RESULTANT SEPARATION OF THE DOOR, WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTALLATION OF A NON APPROVED JUMP DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - door - flutter (cause)
  - maintenance,major alteration - improper, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - door,interior crew - separation (cause)
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - separation (cause)
  - window,door - separation
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

SUBSEQUENT TO THE DEPARTURE OF THE SKYDIVERS, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIRAL DESCENT. THE JUMP DOOR, NOT THE SKY MOTIVE JUMP DOOR LISTED ON THE AIRPLANE'S FORM 337, WHICH HAD BEEN APPROVED BY AN FAA INSPECTOR, ENTERED A FLUTTER CONDITION. THE PILOT DOOR, WINDSHIELD AND PILOT DOOR WINDOW SEPARATED DURING THE DESCENT.  THIS FLUTTER CONDITION AND SEPARATION OF COMPONENTS RESULTED IN THE PILOT BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A 20 TO 30 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IN APPROXIMATELY A 65 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE OF BANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6172B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6172B-1992-07-22), registration cancelled 1992-07-22, S/N 34172 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34172
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Sky Dive San Marcos, Inc.
- Registered owner: Sky Dive San Marcos, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: NONE, Fentress Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 503 total, 300 in this make and model, 503 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910504063219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910504063219A), May 4, 1991: Cessna 182A, Fentress, TX, Substantial damage. Jumpers away. Spiral descent. Non approved jump door caused flutter. Door window separated. Lost control. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N6172B (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI67F0355](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0355), Nov 26, 1966: Cessna 182A (N6172B), Adrian, MI, substantial damage

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.