Date & Time:
Apr 1, 1983 at 2000 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 500 Citation
Operator:
Winn Exploration Company
Registration:
N700CW
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Corpus Christi - Eagle Pass
MSN:
500-0205
YOM:
1974
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
2
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
2
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
3440
Circumstances:
The aircraft was on a flight to a private ranch landing strip at night. The strip had an unlighted windsock at midfield and portable runway edge lights were in use. During arrival, the aircrew estimated the visibility was 3 to 4 miles and reported they would be able to land. Personnel at the ranch heard the aircraft fly over. One of them reported that earlier, the wind had been blowing hard and the air was full of dust, but at the time the aircraft arrived, dust had settled. A deputy sheriff noted that at times, the visibility was good, but at other times, it was poor. The aircraft owner, who was at the ranch, said he could see the aircraft lights at times (in the traffic pattern), but at times, he could not see them. After making two passes, the aircraft crashed in the area where it should have been on a base leg. An exam of the wreckage revealed it was in a left turn during impact. After initial impact, it bounced/slid 663 feet, then hit a tree covered canal levee and burned. No evidence of a preimpact/mechanical malfunction or failure was found. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: in flight encounter with weather
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (f) weather condition - obscuration
3. (c) weather evaluation - poor - pilot in command
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Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
4. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: other
Findings
5. (f) terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
Phase of operation: approach
Findings
1. (f) light condition - dark night
2. (f) weather condition - obscuration
3. (c) weather evaluation - poor - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #2: in flight collision with terrain/water
Phase of operation: approach - VFR pattern - base turn
Findings
4. (c) proper altitude - not maintained - pilot in command
----------
Occurrence #3: on ground/water encounter with terrain/water
Phase of operation: other
Findings
5. (f) terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
Final Report:
N700CW.pdf88.25 KB
