# NTSB FTW93FA096: Cessna 172N, N222UF, Katy, TX, March 6, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: March 6, 1993, 10:41 local (16:41 UTC) - Place: Katy, TX - Coordinates: 29.789995, -95.820335 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7900&lon=-95.8203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18642 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93FA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18642/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93FA096 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis A STUDENT PILOT WAS CLEARED TO THE LOCAL PRACTICE AREA TO PRACTICE HIS UPPER AIRWORK. THE AIRPLANE WAS WITNESSED BY PILOTS IN ANOTHER AIRPLANE IN A NOSE DIVE ATTITUDE FROM 3,000 FEET UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRFRAME AT THE ACCIDENT SITE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL ANOMALY THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL FLIGHT OR RECOVERY ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 6, 1993, at approximately 1041 central standard time, a Cessna 172N, N222UF, was destroyed upon impact with terrain following a controlled descent near Katy, Texas. The solo student pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the local instructional flight. According to the operator, the 38 hour student pilot was cleared to the local practice area for a solo flight to review his upper airwork. The student departed the David Wayne Hooks Airport at approximately 0954 CST and proceeded to the practice area. The pilot of another airplane witnessed the airplane in cruise flight at approximately 3,000 feet, when he observed the airplane nose over to a vertical attitude and descend at a very high rate until impact with the ground. The airplane was located in an open marsh in a vertical attitude, with the engine buried 60 inches below the soft ground. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot was a native of the Republic of Singapore in the United States on a 6 months working permit. According to his flight instructor (statement enclosed), he was a highly motivated and detail oriented student, with above average flight aptitude. A copy of the pilot's log book as well as his training records is enclosed in this report. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The airplane had been refueled with 100LL fuel after the last flight on the previous day. During the post accident examination of the wreckage at the accident site, no anomalies were found with either the airplane or its system. A review of the aircraft maintenance records failed to disclose any discrepancies. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Examination of the terrain and physical evidence at the wreckage site revealed that the airplane impacted the ground on a measured heading of 110 degrees. All aircraft components and wreckage was located within 100 foot radius from the main wreckage. All aircraft components and flight controls were accounted for and continuity was established to all flight controls up to the cabin. Compression damage to both wings and cabin doors was symmetrical, with the last 10 inches of each wing tip faring remaining undamaged. A damaged airspeed indicator face was located in the wreckage with needle transfers between the 155 to 160 knots range. The wing flaps were found in the up position with the elevator trim in the 10 degree up position (nose down trim). The engine assembly sustained impact damage. The crankcase was found separated from the engine. An examination of the engine and all associated components was undertaken to establish functionality and serviceability. No anomalies were found with the engine assembly. The propeller assembly was found sheared at the propeller flange. Both blades exhibited S bending and twisting. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy and toxicology tests were ordered and performed on the pilot. The autopsy was performed by Aurelio A. Espinosa, Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for Harris County, in Houston, Texas. Toxicological findings were negative. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the owner's representative on March 8, 1993, upon completion of the field investigation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N222UF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N222UF-1993-07-16), registration cancelled 1993-07-16, S/N 17268085 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17268058 - Airframe hours: 1607 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: United Flight Services Inc. - Registered owner: United Flight Services Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 9, 1993, 8 hours before - Departed: DWH, TOMBALL, TX - Destination: DWH - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 38 total, 37 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IAH, 26 nm away ## 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 19930306004449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930306004449A), Mar 6, 1993: Cessna 172N, Katy, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed to dive vertically into ground from level flight. Cause of dive and no recovery unknown. 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.