Cessna 320C accident near Waco, TX
On September 19, 1996, a Cessna 320C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Waco, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 19, 1996
- Place
- Waco, TX
- Aircraft
- Cessna 320C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 31.551°N, 97.140°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06715
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT: On September 19, 1996, at 0514 (based on the aircraft clock) central daylight time, a Cessna 320C, N3020T, registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91, impacted terrain near the Waco Regional Airport, Waco, Texas. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the cross country flight. The commercial/instrument rated pilot received fatal injuries and the airplane was destroyed by the impact and fire. The time that the flight originated from New Braunfels, Texas, was 0415 (based on ATC radar target track). During telephone interviews, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, airport fixed base operator (FBO) personnel reported the following information. The airplane landed at New Braunfels, Texas, approximately 1930 on September 18, 1996, after diverting from the intended destination of San Antonio, Texas, due to thunderstorms. The pilot reported that he had "10 gallons of fuel left" and requested refueling; however, line service personnel were gone for the day and the pilot was informed that fuel would be available the following morning at 0700 and local motels were available for the night. The pilot was further informed of 24 hour fueling service at Austin, Texas, (approximately 60 miles north of New Braunfels). Airport personnel departed the New Braunfels Airport for the evening. At 0640 the following morning, when an airport employee returned for work, the airplane was not at the airport. During telephone conversations, conducted by the investigator-in-charge, a flight instructor at the N
Probable cause
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
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Browse: Texas · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
