# NTSB FTW91FA104: Cessna C182R, N5459E, Big Spring, TX, June 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 19, 1991, 08:30 local (13:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Spring, TX
- Coordinates: 32.239299, -101.470375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2393&lon=-101.4704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91FA104
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91FA104

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER DUE TO INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - misjudged, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS CONDUCTING AERIAL PIPELINE SURVEY, WHEN AN EYEWITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TO PULL UP INTO A STEEP CLIMB, EXECUTE A WING OVER TYPE MANEUVER, FOLLOWED BY A STEEP DIVE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A WINGS LEVEL, SLIGHTLY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. THE INITIAL IMPACT SCARS AND PROPELLER STRIKES INDICATED A HIGH VERTICAL SINK RATE. THE FORWARD VELOCITY WAS APPROXIMATELY 142 KNOTS BASED UPON THE PROPELLER SLASH MARKS. ADDITIONALLY, THE TOTAL GROUND TRAVEL WAS 285 FEET EXCLUDING THE MAIN WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5459E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5459E-1992-11-06), registration cancelled 1992-11-06, S/N 18268324 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18268324
- Airframe hours: 5768
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-47OU-11 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Cosden Pipeline Company
- Registered owner: Cosden Pipeline Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1991, 67 hours before
- Departed: 21XS, BIG SPRING, TX
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,507 total, 315 in this make and model, 52 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 25 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 19910619022689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910619022689A), Jun 19, 1991: Cessna 182R, Big Springs, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Flew low over pipeline on patrol,made steep wing-over and crashed. Medication.

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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