Cessna 182R accident near Rachal, TX
On April 25, 2007, a Cessna 182R (airplane) was involved in an accident near Rachal, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 25, 2007
- Place
- Rachal, TX
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182R · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 26.796°N, 98.164°W
- NTSB ID
- 20070430X00485
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 25, 2007, approximately 1217 central daylight time, a Cessna 182R, N6277E, was destroyed after impacting terrain while maneuvering near Rachal, Texas. The airplane was registered to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), of Washington, D.C. The certificated airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, sustained fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the routine air patrol mission, which was conducted as a Public Use flight. No flight plan was filed. The local flight departed the McAllen Miller International Airport (MFE), McAllen, Texas, about 0623. The aircraft departed the CBP McAllen Air Unit at MFE. The intended mission was to provide air support for ground units along the Texas-Mexico border. At approximately 1116 U.S. Border Protection agents called the aircraft to provide air support; the aircraft arrived on scene at approximately 1130. The pilot circled the area and relayed observed positions to units on the ground. According to a border patrol officer who witnessed the accident, the airplane was orbiting the area in a counterclockwise direction prior to observing it bank steeply to the left, followed by a bank to the right before nosing into the ground. The witness further reported that he felt "lots of wind gusts," and that the steep bank he observed was when the airplane was flying downwind. The witness stated that the engine "sounded good," was approximately 600 feet to 800 feet above the ground during its orbits, and was descending while orbiting. The witness further stated that the post-crash flames were from
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground. A factor was the gusty tailwind condition.
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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.
