# NTSB FTW91LA075: Cessna 337D, N86116, Alpine, TX, May 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1991, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Alpine, TX
- Coordinates: 30.429643, -103.330993 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4296&lon=-103.3310&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23330
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23330/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S CONTINUED TAKEOFF IN UNFAVORABLE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE NOTICED A DUST DEVIL DURING TAKEOFF AND FLEW INTO IT SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND AS IT DRIFTED OFF OF THE DIRT AIRSTRIP CENTER LINE ONE WING CAME INTO CONTACT WITH A TALL CACTUS. THE AIRPLANE VEERED LEFT AND IMPACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86116](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N86116-1998-02-25), registration cancelled 1998-02-25, S/N 3371085 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337D
- Registry model: [Cessna 337D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337d) (registry code 2075717) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-1085
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C/D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth G. Clouse
- Registered owner: Kenneth G. Clouse
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: E44, Taurus Mesa, runway 36, 3,600 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,800 total, 60 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °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 19910502014559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910502014559A), May 2, 1991: Cessna 337D, Alpine, TX, Substantial damage. Lost control on liftoff. Drifted off runway. Wing hit cactus causing crash. Blamed a dust devil for accident.

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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