# NTSB FTW93FA039: Cessna 172M, N9323H, Snook, TX, November 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1992, 18:15 local (Nov 19, 1992, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Snook, TX
- Coordinates: 30.490291, -96.459381 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4903&lon=-96.4594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93FA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA039

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS AS A RESULT OF HIS ALCOHOLIC AND DRUG IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN WEATHER INFORMATION, THE DARK NIGHT AND EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH 25-30 FT HIGH TREE IN A PASTURE, AND THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND AND CARTWHEELED. THE PROPERTY OWNER WHO HEARD THE IMPACT STATED THAT THE WX WAS LOW OVERCAST, DRIZZLE AND FOG. ACCORDING TO FRIENDS AND ACQUAINTANCES OF THE PILOT, HE WAS DEPRESSED OVER A DIVORCE AND WAS UNDERGOING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION. DURING THE EVENING PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT HAD BEEN OBSERVED CIRCLING A TOWN AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE WAS MET AT THE AIRPORT BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WHO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE IMPAIRED. THE PILOT WAS GIVEN THE OPTION OF CHECKING INTO A MOTEL OR GOING TO JAIL FOR PUBLIC INTOXICATION; THE PILOT CHECKED INTO A MOTEL. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGY TESTS AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED BLOOD ETHANOL CONCENTRATION OF 156 MG/DL. IN ADDITION, A 0.283 UG/ML LEVEL OF SERTRALINE (TRANQUILIZER) WAS DETECTED IN THE BLOOD SAMPLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9323H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9323H-1995-04-04), registration cancelled 1995-04-04, S/N 17266087 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266087
- Airframe hours: 2015
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wood Co. Pilot'S Assoc., doing business as Wood Co. Flying Club
- Registered owner: Wood Co. Pilot'S Assoc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 42 hours before
- Departed: 45R, KOUNTZE, TX
- Destination: CLL, BRYAN, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 152 total, 107 in this make and model, 110 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19921118047449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921118047449A), Nov 18, 1992: Cessna 172M, Snook, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. In low level flight in IMC at night struck trees. Pilot reported depressed. Alcohol in blood and anxiety drugs.

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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