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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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NTSB Report

December 20, 1982 · Cessna 182L · N42717

Near Mcallen, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Near Mcallen, TX
Aircraft
Cessna 182L
Tail Number
N42717
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW83FRG04

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED MCALLEN, TX AT 1903 CST TO AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION. DURING DEPARTURE, IT WAS OBSERVED HEADING NORTHWEST. ABOUT 1 1/2 HRS LATER, IT WAS AGAIN OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY, ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCALLEN, TX. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLANE MADE SEVERAL PASSES WITH NO LIGHTS ON, THEN CRASHED AND BURNED. TWO OF THE WITNESSES THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER THE CRASH, VOICES WERE HEARD IN THE AREA. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE'S RIGHT WING HAD STRUCK A TREE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. ABOUT 200 LBS OF MARIJUANA WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND ANOTHER 200 LBS WAS LOCATED ON THE GROUND IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED MCALLEN, TX AT 1903 CST TO AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION. DURING DEPARTURE, IT WAS OBSERVED HEADING NORTHWEST. ABOUT 1 1/2 HRS LATER, IT WAS AGAIN OBSERVED IN THE VICINITY, ABOUT 7 MILES NORTHWEST OF MCALLEN, TX. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLANE MADE SEVERAL PASSES WITH NO LIGHTS ON, THEN CRASHED AND BURNED. TWO OF THE WITNESSES THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS LANDING WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER THE CRASH, VOICES WERE HEARD IN THE AREA. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLANE'S RIGHT WING HAD STRUCK A TREE BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. ABOUT 200 LBS OF MARIJUANA WAS ABOARD THE AIRCRAFT AND ANOTHER 200 LBS WAS LOCATED ON THE GROUND IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182L
Tail NumberN42717
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 25 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind60° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time20:00

External Links

Appendix: Source Data