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NTSB Report
May 6, 1983 · Cessna 170B · N3038A
Iraan, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Iraan, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N3038A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FA222
ACCORDING TO A TRUCK DRIVER, HE WAS PROCEEDING NORTHBOUND ON A HIGHWAY, WHEN HE SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A LOOP FROM APRX 100 FT AGL. THE WITNESS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE SAW A LARGE EXPLOSION ON THE GROUND WHERE THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. RECENTLY, THE PLT HAD BEEN OBSERVED PERFORMING CHANDELLES & LAZY EIGHTS AT LOW ALT. ALSO, HE HAD RECENTLY DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF LOOPING THE ACFT & WAS ADVISED NOT TO. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A 20 TO 30 DEG NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED FORMAL TRAINING IN AEROBATICS. THE ACFT WAS CERTIFIED FOR UTILITY CATEGORY OF FLT.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO A TRUCK DRIVER, HE WAS PROCEEDING NORTHBOUND ON A HIGHWAY, WHEN HE SAW THE AIRCRAFT ENTER WHAT HE DESCRIBED AS A LOOP FROM APRX 100 FT AGL. THE WITNESS THEN LOST SIGHT OF THE ACFT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE SAW A LARGE EXPLOSION ON THE GROUND WHERE THE ACFT CRASHED & BURNED. RECENTLY, THE PLT HAD BEEN OBSERVED PERFORMING CHANDELLES & LAZY EIGHTS AT LOW ALT. ALSO, HE HAD RECENTLY DISCUSSED THE POSSIBILITY OF LOOPING THE ACFT & WAS ADVISED NOT TO. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A 20 TO 30 DEG NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE PLT HAD NOT RECEIVED FORMAL TRAINING IN AEROBATICS. THE ACFT WAS CERTIFIED FOR UTILITY CATEGORY OF FLT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CDT
Nearest Airport11nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN3038A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 19 kt, gusting 31 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point21 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time22:48
Weather SourceWFAC