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NTSB Report
December 17, 1982 · Cessna 340 · N5906M
Benavides, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Benavides, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 340
Tail Number
N5906M
Operator
David Russell Burton
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FRG03
A DEER HUNTER SAW THE AIRCRAFT ON A FINAL APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD AT DUSK, WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS DOWN. HE STATED THAT WHEN IT WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH AN ESTIMATED 600 LBS OF MARIJUANA, MOST OF WHICH WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. A HIGH ALTITUDE NAVIGATIONAL CHART WAS FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE. THE CHART CONTAINED A LINE BETWEEN TWO NAVIGATIONAL POINTS (ONE IN MEXICO & ONE IN THE UNITED STATES). THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STOLEN.
Full Narrative
A DEER HUNTER SAW THE AIRCRAFT ON A FINAL APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD AT DUSK, WITH THE GEAR AND FLAPS DOWN. HE STATED THAT WHEN IT WAS AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL, THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN AND THE PLANE STRUCK THE GROUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOADED WITH AN ESTIMATED 600 LBS OF MARIJUANA, MOST OF WHICH WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. A HIGH ALTITUDE NAVIGATIONAL CHART WAS FOUND NEAR THE WRECKAGE. THE CHART CONTAINED A LINE BETWEEN TWO NAVIGATIONAL POINTS (ONE IN MEXICO & ONE IN THE UNITED STATES). THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STOLEN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 340
Tail NumberN5906M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid Russell Burton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-1 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind70° @ 7 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:00