# NTSB NYC08CA170: Cessna 172F, N5382R, White Plains, NY, April 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 27, 2008, 23:50 local (Apr 28, 2008, 03:50 UTC) - Place: White Plains, NY - Coordinates: 41.067222, -73.707496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0672&lon=-73.7075&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-IFR final approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 67958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67958/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA170 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper glide path during the approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-IFR final approach: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172F, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072414), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis While on the instrument landing system (ILS) approach, the pilot of a Cessna 172F, acquired the runway visually. About 3 miles from the runway, he closed his flight plan and continued the visual descent to the runway. The pilot stated he could not see the four-light precision approach path indicator (PAPI) and he failed to monitor his descent path. The airplane descended below the glideslope, impacted the approach lights, and then the localizer antenna. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted prior to the runway threshold. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties with the airplane prior to the accident. During the impact, the airplane sustained damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. ## Factual narrative While on the instrument landing system (ILS) approach, the pilot of a Cessna 172F, acquired the runway visually. About 3 miles from the runway, he closed his flight plan and continued the visual descent to the runway. The pilot stated he could not see the four-light precision approach path indicator (PAPI) and he failed to monitor his descent path. The airplane descended below the glideslope, impacted the approach lights, and then the localizer antenna. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest inverted prior to the runway threshold. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties with the airplane prior to the accident. During the impact, the airplane sustained damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5382R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5382R-2013-04-02), registration cancelled 2013-04-02, S/N 17252917, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17252917 - Airframe hours: 4500 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 140 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DSV, Dansville, NY - Destination: HPN, White Plains, NY - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: HPN, Westchester County Airport, runway 16 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review September 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 600 total, 550 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night - Wind: 130° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: HPN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20080427837609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080427837609A), Apr 27, 2008: Cessna 172F, White Plains, NY, Destroyed. (-23) Cessna 172F N5382R s/n 17252917 was destroyed while attempting to land to khpn on 04/27/2008 at 2350 local. N5382R crashed into two sets of malsr light… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.