# NTSB NYC83LA015: Cessna 150L, N1277Q, Watertown, NY, October 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 29, 1982, 19:07 local (23:07 UTC)
- Place: Watertown, NY
- Coordinates: 43.999916, -76.040786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9999&lon=-76.0408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 29, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE MADE TWO TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS AT THE WATERTOWN, NEW YORK INTL AIRPORT. HE THEN RETURNED TO HIS PRIVATE AIRSTRIP IN THE LOCAL AREA. WHILE EXECUTING A NIGHT APPROACH TO THE PRIVATE STRIP HE GOT TOO LOW. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ADDED FULL POWER AND ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TOP OF TREES, THEN NOSED INTO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1277Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1277Q-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 15072577, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15072577
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: LYCOMING O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: George Eiss
- Registered owner: George Eiss
- Departed: WATERTOWN, NY
- Destination: WATERTOWN, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 85 total, 80 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Temperature: 122 °F

## 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 19821029055889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821029055889A), Oct 29, 1982: Cessna 150L, Watertown, NY, Substantial damage. Overshot approach to land. Over rotated on attempt to go around. Aircraft settled into trees.

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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