Cessna 182 accident near Elmendorf, Texas, July 2, 1989
On July 2, 1989 at about 6:38 pm local time, a Cessna 182, registered N5827B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Elmendorf, Texas (Midlake (Pvt) airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
PILOT'S DECISION TO DISCONTINUE THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, IN CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS, THAT LED TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR A SAFE LANDING ON THE AIRPORT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 1989 · about 6:38 pm local time
- Place
- Elmendorf, Texas · Midlake (Pvt) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N5827B · no longer on the register · serial 33827
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DETECTED A LOSS OF POWER DURING THE DESENT TO LAND THAT CARBURETOR HEAT SEEMED TO CORRECT. HE DISCONTINUED THE CARBURETOR HEAT AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND THE ENGINE FAILED ON FINAL APPROACH AT APPROXIMATELY 500 FEET AGL. THE ICING PROBABILITY CHART INDICATES THAT EXISTING CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE FOR CARBURETOR ICING AND THE SPARK PLUGS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF AN OVER RICH CONDITION. THE ENGINE RAN WITHOUT PROBLEM WHEN INSTALLED ON ANOTHER AIRCRAFT.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 710 hours in all; 460 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 616 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,936 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 29, 1988; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Elmendorf TX at 6:12 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,600 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from SAT, 18 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.