DARROUZETT, TX, USA
N5896F
CESSNA 210G
DURING A NIGHT IFR FLIGHT THE INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD BEEN CLEARED BY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TO DESCEND FROM A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF EIGHT THOUSAND FEET TO SIX THOUSAND FEET. THE CLEARANCE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER CONTACT WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AT A DIRECTION APPROXIMATELY 127 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE ASSIGNED HEADING AND IMPACTED INTO A WET CULTIVATED FARM FIELD. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S VACUUM PUMP REVEALED WEAR ON THE VANES AND ROTOR. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE VACUUM PUMP COULD NOT SUBSTANTIATE PRE-IMPACT FAILURE.
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. A FACTOR WAS THE DARK NIGHT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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