# NTSB NYC83FA128: Cessna 172RG, N6207R, Plattsburgh, NY, May 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1983, 00:40 local (04:40 UTC)
- Place: Plattsburgh, NY
- Coordinates: 44.699642, -73.470016 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6996&lon=-73.4700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35050/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FA128

## 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)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN IFR ARRIVAL, APRX 1 MI FROM THE OUTER MARKER (OM), THE PLT ASKED FOR A DESCENT FROM 3300 FT MSL & WAS CLEARED FOR THE LOCALIZER, RWY 1 APCH. THE PUBLISHED MIN ALT AT THE OM WAS 2100 FT. THE PLT REPORTED AT THE OM, AND 11 SECONDS LATER, THE CONTROLLER ASKED IF HE WANTED TO MAKE A 360 DEG TURN TO LOSE ALT. THE PLT DECLINED, BUT HE MADE 2 S-TURNS WHILE DESCENDING ON THE APCH. HE STATED THAT AT 800 FT MSL, HE APPLIED CRUISE POWER, CHECKED HIS TIME & NOTED HE HAD 30 SECONDS REMAINING TO GET TO THE MISSED APCH POINT. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, HE HEARD A 'LOUD BANG.' HE THEN MADE A MISSED APCH, DIVERTED TO BURLINGTON, VT & LANDED FROM AN ILS APCH. AFTER LANDING FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE WAS FOUND ON THE LEADINGEDGES OF THE WINGS, PROP SPINNER & LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. TREE FOLIAGE WAS ALSO FOUND ON THE ACFT. THE CONTROLLER STATED THE ARTS TARGET WENT TO A NON-BEACON STATUS AT THE APCH END OF THE RWY (AT 500 FT MSL). THE MDA WAS 720 FT MSL & THE MIN CEILING & VISIBILITY WERE 400 FT & 1 MI. APRX 4 MI SOUTHEAST, THE 0034 WX WAS 400 FT OBSCD, 7/8 MI VIS, FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6207R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0115
- Airframe hours: 1510
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dr. Howard A. Walker
- Registered owner: Outer Marker, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 30 hours before
- Departed: PSF, PITTSFIELD, MA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PLB, Clinton County, runway 1, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 648 total, 255 in this make and model, 532 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBG, 4 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 19830531021349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830531021349A), May 31, 1983: Cessna 172RG, Plattsburgh, NY, Substantial damage. Busted minimum descent altitude and struck trees on missed approach. Remained airborne and landed at an alternate.

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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