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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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June 4, 1985 · Cessna 140 · N3180N

Tioga, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Tioga, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 140
Tail Number
N3180N
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85FA245

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT APCHG FROM THE NORTHWEST AT AN ESTIMATED ALT OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL. AS IT PASSED THEIR POSITION, THE PLT ROLLED INTO A STEEP (90 DEG) RIGHT BANK, THEN ROLL BACK OUT. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACFT ROLLED OUT OF THE BANK, IT APPEARED TO BE 'SUSPENDED IN MIDAIR' & THE 'WINGS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH.' THE NOSE THEN DROPPED & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 15 DEG, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AFTER IMPACT THE ACFT SKIDDED ABOUT 54 FT & CAME TO REST. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.132%. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 15 GUSTING 25 KTS.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT APCHG FROM THE NORTHWEST AT AN ESTIMATED ALT OF ABOUT 100 FT AGL. AS IT PASSED THEIR POSITION, THE PLT ROLLED INTO A STEEP (90 DEG) RIGHT BANK, THEN ROLL BACK OUT. THE WITNESSES REPORTED THAT AFTER THE ACFT ROLLED OUT OF THE BANK, IT APPEARED TO BE 'SUSPENDED IN MIDAIR' & THE 'WINGS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH.' THE NOSE THEN DROPPED & THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN ABOUT A 15 DEG, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AFTER IMPACT THE ACFT SKIDDED ABOUT 54 FT & CAME TO REST. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.132%. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AT 15 GUSTING 25 KTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:05 CDT
Nearest Airport3nm SE
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 140
Tail NumberN3180N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-16F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind135° @ 15 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time01:00
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data