Cessna 320C N3020T

Summary

On 19 September 1996 at about 10:14 local time, a Cessna 320C registered N3020T was involved in an accident near Waco, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 September 1996 at 10:14

Classification

Accident

Location

Waco, Texas, United States

Coordinates

31.5508, -97.1402

Aircraft

Cessna 320C

Registration

N3020T

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

New Braunfels → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW96FA390

1 person died.

VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: inadequate preflight by the pilot, his failure to obtain a weather briefing, darkness, adverse weather conditions, lack of fuel to proceed to an alternate destination, pressure induced on the pilot by an urgent need to get to a real estate license renewal class, and pilot anxiety/depression.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot (plt) left his residence at 0500 & flew from San Antonio to Alamogordo. On the return flight (flt), he diverted to New Braunfels, due to weather (wx). After landing, he indicated that he needed fuel, but fuel was not available until the next morning. Reportedly, he slept in the aircraft (acft). Airport (arpt) personnel noted plt had departed without refueling & without a wx briefing. No record of en route communication or refueling was found. About 0600, wreckage was sited where acft had impacted in a level attitude near Waco Regional Arpt, about 0.89 mi from the VOR. Arpt elevation was 516 ft, minimum descent altitude (MDA) for the VOR approach was 880 ft. The VOR bearing selector was found at 142 deg (inbnd course was 141 deg). Waco wx was reported to be 300' ceiling, variable 100', visibility 1/2 mi with fog. No preimpact mechanical failure was found. Propeller damage & slashes marks indicated the engines were providing power during impact. Plt had been prescribed Wellbutrin (bupropion) for depression & anxiety. Toxicology tests of his blood showed 0.11 mcg/ml bupropion (antidepressant), 0.20 mcg/ml erythrodihydrobupropion, 0.94 mcg/ml threodihydrobupropion, & an unreported amount of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (metabolite of marijuana). Tests of his urine showed 0.118 mcg/ml Phentermine (appetite suppressant/stimulant). Plt's prescription for bupropion had been refilled on 8/28/96. His son believed he was under stress from business & finances, & probably fatigued. Plt had urgent need to be at a real estate license renewal class in Ft Worth at 0900.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.