# NTSB NYC83LA008: Cessna 172P, N54177, Grahamsville, NY, October 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1982, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Grahamsville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.840137, -74.540153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8401&lon=-74.5402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA008

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT WITH FULL FUEL TANKS. ABOUT ONE HOUR AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT FLEW OVER THE PASSENGERS' HOUSE TO TAKE PICTURES. WHILE A PASSENGER WAS PHOTOGRAPHING THE HOUSE, THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TOWARD THE GROUND. DURING THIS TIME, HE LOST REFERENCE OF HIS ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED AND BEGAN TO APPROACH RISING TERRAIN. HE APPLIED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB, BUT THE PLANE WAS NEAR STALLING SPEED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING CONTACTED TREE TOPS AND THE AIRCRAFT CARTWHEELED TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54177](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54177-1991-01-28), registration cancelled 1991-01-28, S/N 17274905 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274905
- Airframe hours: 547
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph Friedman
- Registered owner: Joseph Friedman
- Departed: MSV, MONTICELLO, NY
- Destination: MSV, MONTICELLO, NY
- Airport: MSV, Sullivan Co. Int'L, runway 15, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 86 total, 86 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19821010052039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821010052039A), Oct 10, 1982: Cessna 172P, Grahamsville, NY, Substantial damage. Struck trees while flying low to photograph scenery. Rising terrain unnoticed until to late to avoid a collision.

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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