# NTSB NYC83FA041: Cessna 177B, N34595, Starrucca, PA, December 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1982, 17:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Starrucca, PA
- Location: 41.8909° N, 75.4498° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Starrucca, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8909&lon=-75.4498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72716
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72716/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA041

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A WEATHER BRIEFING BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS ADVISED OF ICING CONDITIONS, TURBULENCE, SNOWSHOWERS AND SNOW SQUALLS ALONG RIDGES NORTH OF THE WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON, PA AREA. THE WEATHER BRIEFER INDICATED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. ALSO, AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT ADVISED THE PILOT NOT TO LEAVE SO LATE IN THE DAY. AT ABOUT 1530 EST, THE PILOT TOOK OFF. AT 1556 EST, HE CONTACTED THE BIRMINGHAM TOWER FOR ASSISTANCE AFTER HE ENCOUNTERED ADVERSE WEATHER. FOR OVER AN HOUR, TOWER PERSONNEL TRIED TO ASSIST THE STUDENT. THE PILOT'S LAST KNOWN TRANSMISSION WAS AT 1706 AFTER HE HAD REPORTED THAT HE DIDN'T KNOW WHETHER HE WAS FLYING UP OR DOWN. THE PLANE IMPACTED IN A WOODED AREA AFTER DARK IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A WITNESS, WHO HEARD THE CLEARED UP SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34595](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34595-2013-10-23), registration cancelled 2013-10-23, S/N 17701891, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701891
- Airframe hours: 1387
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stelios Roccos
- Registered owner: Alexis Aviation Corp.
- Departed: HONESDALE, PA
- Destination: SRACUSE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 186 total, 106 in this make and model, 45 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BGM, 32 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 19821212063419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821212063419A), Dec 12, 1982: Cessna 177B, Starrucca, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed

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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