# NTSB FTW92FA201: Cessna 172P, N63930, Breckenridge, TX, August 4, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 4, 1992, 08:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Breckenridge, TX
- Coordinates: 32.749858, -98.909873 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7499&lon=-98.9099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92FA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92FA201

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING ALONG THE PIPELINE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE WHAT HE HAD THOUGHT WAS A POSSIBLE LEAK. HE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE THE LEAK AND FINALLY RADIOED TO THE REPAIR CREWS ON THE GROUND TO GO TO THEIR NEXT JOB. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE CIRCLED SEVERAL TIMES AND FLEW LOWER EACH TIME. DURING THE LAST PASS, THE AIRPLANE WAS BELOW THE TREE LINE AND MADE A CLIMBING LEFT TURN WITH AN 'ACUTE ANGLE UP' JUST PRIOR TO THE DESCENT TO IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63930](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63930-2013-04-29), registration cancelled 2013-04-29, S/N 17275496, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275496
- Airframe hours: 8710
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Koch Industries, Inc.
- Registered owner: Bow Pipe Line
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1991, 980 hours before
- Departed: BKD
- Destination: BKD
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,936 total, 6,185 in this make and model, 6,735 as pilot in command, 285 in the last 90 days, 110 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19920804028979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920804028979A), Aug 4, 1992: Cessna 172P, Breckenridge, TX, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Struck trees and crashed while flying low and slow looking for oil pipe line leak.

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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