Cessna 182A accident near Fentress, Texas, May 4, 1991
On May 4, 1991 at about 7:48 pm local time, a Cessna 182A, registered N6172B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Fentress, Texas (Fentress Airpark airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE IMPROPER MAJOR MODIFICATION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE OPERATOR, AND THE RESULTANT SEPARATION OF THE DOOR, WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD. A FACTOR WAS THE INSTALLATION OF A NON APPROVED JUMP DOOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 1991 · about 7:48 pm local time
- Place
- Fentress, Texas · Fentress Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182A · all 182As on the register
- Registration
- N6172B · no longer on the register · serial 34172
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SUBSEQUENT TO THE DEPARTURE OF THE SKYDIVERS, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIRAL DESCENT. THE JUMP DOOR, NOT THE SKY MOTIVE JUMP DOOR LISTED ON THE AIRPLANE'S FORM 337, WHICH HAD BEEN APPROVED BY AN FAA INSPECTOR, ENTERED A FLUTTER CONDITION. THE PILOT DOOR, WINDSHIELD AND PILOT DOOR WINDOW SEPARATED DURING THE DESCENT. THIS FLUTTER CONDITION AND SEPARATION OF COMPONENTS RESULTED IN THE PILOT BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. IMPACT OCCURRED IN A 20 TO 30 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IN APPROXIMATELY A 65 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE OF BANK.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 503 hours in all; 300 in this make and model; 503 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-L (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sky Dive San Marcos, INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 3,500 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 4,500 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.