Cessna 320E accident near San Marcos, TX
On November 1, 2012, a Cessna 320E (airplane) was involved in an accident near San Marcos, TX. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- November 1, 2012
- Place
- San Marcos, TX
- Aircraft
- Cessna 320E · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.879°N, 97.883°W
- NTSB ID
- 20121101X83946
Official records · CEN13FA039
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On November 1, 2012, about 0605 central daylight time, a Cessna 320E airplane, N10PM, collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from San Marcos Municipal Airport (KHYI), San Marcos, Texas. The non-instrument rated private pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual and was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Night instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport (KDIK), Dickinson, North Dakota. According to an employee from the local fixed base operator (FBO), after observing the pilot preflight the accident airplane he pulled it out of a hangar and gave him directions to runway 17. The FBO employee was unable to see the airplane taxi out to the runway due to fog at the airport. Shortly after, the employee heard the airplane crash. According to those in contact with the pilot before the accident, the pilot intended to fly from San Marcos, TX to Dickinson, ND in the same day. The locations and number of intended stops for fuel were unknown. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot, age 66, held a private pilot certificate for airplane single-engine land and multi-engine land issued May 30, 2011. The pilot’s last medical certificate held was a Class 3 special authorization with interim issuance; this medical certificate was issued on October 5, 2010, with the limitations that i
Probable cause
The non-instrument-rated pilot’s decision to takeoff in night instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and a loss of control.
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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.
