Cessna TR182 accident near Port Isabel, Texas, August 13, 1996
On August 13, 1996 at about 11:22 pm local time, a Cessna TR182, registered N6316T, was destroyed in an accident near Port Isabel, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
pilot impairment of judgment and performance due to alcohol and drugs, and failure of the pilot(s) to maintain obstacle clearance, during an intentional low altitude flight manueuver (low pass under a bridge).
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 13, 1996 · about 11:22 pm local time
- Place
- Port Isabel, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TR182 · all TR182s on the register
- Registration
- N6316T · no longer on the register · serial R18201974
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was observed to pass from north to south under the Queen Isabel Causeway Bridge, which spanned between Port Isabel & South Padre Island, TX. After a 180 degree turn, it approached the bridge from south for another pass. However, during this pass, it struck a concrete bridge pylon & column, then descended uncontrolled into the water. No preimpact mechanical problem was found. The airplane's last annual inspection was dated 7/27/95. Neither of the pilot-rated occupants held a valid FAA medical certificate. Toxicology testing of the right seat occupant's blood revealed 0.006 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol (active substance in marijuana), 0.006 mcg/ml tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (inactive metabolite of the active substance in marijuana), 0.087 mcg/ml cocaine, 1.809 mcg/ml benzoylecgonine (inactive metabolite of cocaine), and 0.095 mcg/ml diphenhydramine (a sedating over-the-counter antihistamine). Toxicology testing of the left seat occupant revealed cocaethylene (a substance formed when cocaine and alcohol are ingested at around the same time) in the liver fluid; 65 mg/dl ethanol in the vitreous fluid; and 143 mg/dl ethanol, 0.133 mcg/ml cocaine, and 0.066 mcg/ml benzoylecgonine in the blood.
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: 600 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 27, 1995
- Maximum gross weight: 3,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MFE Mcallen TX at 11:30 pm
- Destination: T31 TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.