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NTSB Report
February 7, 1987 · Cessna 210N · N6497N
Diboll, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 7, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Diboll, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 210N
Tail Number
N6497N
Operator
Kenneth P Barton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA064
ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED ATTITUDE AT HIGH SPEED. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT HAD FILED IFR AND DEPARTED INTO M80VC 5 L-F WEATHER WITH TOPS ABOVE 8,000'. ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE CONTROLLER THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCEING INSTRUMENT PROBLEMS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PLT BECAME TOTALLY DISORIENTED AND ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL AN MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION ON THE ACFT, ENGINE OR INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS. ATC TRANSCRIPTS INDICATED THAT THE PLT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH IFR PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES AND THAT HE APPEARED TO BE CONFUSED ABOUT THE CLEARANCE AND HOW TO EXECUTE IT. THE PLT'S LAST IFR INSTRUCTION HAD BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
ACFT WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UNCONTROLLED ATTITUDE AT HIGH SPEED. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PVT PLT HAD FILED IFR AND DEPARTED INTO M80VC 5 L-F WEATHER WITH TOPS ABOVE 8,000'. ABOUT 20 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE PLT REPORTED TO THE CONTROLLER THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCEING INSTRUMENT PROBLEMS. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE PLT BECAME TOTALLY DISORIENTED AND ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL AN MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION ON THE ACFT, ENGINE OR INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS. ATC TRANSCRIPTS INDICATED THAT THE PLT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH IFR PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES AND THAT HE APPEARED TO BE CONFUSED ABOUT THE CLEARANCE AND HOW TO EXECUTE IT. THE PLT'S LAST IFR INSTRUCTION HAD BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:53 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 210N
Tail NumberN6497N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorKenneth P Barton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO 520 L · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind320° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:58
Weather SourceWFAC