# NTSB NYC82DA209: Cessna 421C, N88572, Saratoga Spring, NY, August 25, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1982, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Saratoga Spring, NY
- Coordinates: 43.059375, -73.770309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0594&lon=-73.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA209

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - navigation receiver - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - monitoring - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON A FLIGHT TO REPOSITION IT FOR AN AIR TAXI OPERATION. THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) WAS IN THE RIGHT SEAT WHILE THE SECOND-IN-COMMAND (SIC) WAS FLYING IN THE LEFT SEAT. DURING ARRIVAL TO THE SARATOGA COUNTY AIRPORT, THE AIRCREW WERE CLEARED FOR THE VOR-A APPROACH. ACCORDING TO THE PIC, WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE GILLA INTERSECTION AND STARTED TO PROCEED OUTBOUND, THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WAS OBSERVED ON THE PROCEDURE TURN (SOUTH) SIDE OF THE RADIAL. THEREFORE, THEY ELECTED TO MAKE A COURSE REVERSAL ON THE NORTH SIDE. DUE TO MODERATE TO HEAVY TURBULENCE, THE PIC WAS DISTRACTED AND WAS NOT SURE IF HE SET IN THE CORRECT INBOUND HEADING. AFTER INTERCEPTING WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS THE PROPER INBOUND RADIAL, A DESCENT WAS STARTED. JUST AFTER BREAKING OUT OF THE CLOUDS AT 1800 TO 1900FT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. A MISSED APPROACH WAS MADE AND THE AIRCREW DIVERTED TO ANOTHER AIRPORT WHERE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED DURING LANDING. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THEY WERE NOT SURE WHETHER THE DME WAS ON ALBANY OR CAMBRIDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N88572 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0637
- Airframe hours: 893
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Richmor Aviation
- Registered owner: Mueller Associates,Inc.
- Departed: 1B1, HUDSON, NY
- Destination: 5B2, SARATOGA SPRING, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: runway 14, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 7,138 total, 716 in this make and model, 6,964 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 145 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFL, 21 nm away

## 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 19820825043479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820825043479A), Aug 25, 1982: Cessna 421C, Saratoga Spring, NY, Substantial damage. Aircraft collided with trees during VOR approach after executing improper procedure turn and descent.

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.

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