# NTSB NYC84FA046: Cessna 172H, N6246L, Hershey, PA, December 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 2, 1983, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Hershey, PA
- Coordinates: 40.279304, -76.640808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2793&lon=-76.6408&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT 'A STORM WAS MOVING IN.' THE PLT REPLIED HE KNEW THAT & WAS ONLY GOING UP FOR A SHORT FLT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF SNOW BEGAN TO FALL, & THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING PERPENDICULAR TO THE RWY BELOW TRAFFIC PATTERN ALTITUDE. THE ACFT MADE SEVERAL APPROACHES, BUT ON EACH APPROACH THE ACFT WAS EITHER TOO HIGH OR MIDWAY DOWN THE RWY. PRIOR TO THE LAST ABORTED LANDING ATTEMPT, THE ACFT HAD PASSED BEYOND THE MIDPOINT OF THE RWY, STILL HIGH,WITH ABOUT 10 DEG OF FLAPS EXTENDED. DURING THIS TIME THE FALLING SNOW HAD INCREASED IN INTENSITY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ACFT CRASHED. THE WX AT THE ARPT WAS OBSERVED AS 'SNOWING HEAVILY AND POOR VISIBILITY.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6246L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255846
- Airframe hours: 1772
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick D. Hite
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 58N, PALMYRA, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 85; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 463 total, 194 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HAR, 12 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 19831202075089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831202075089A), Dec 2, 1983: Cessna 172H, Hershey, PA, Substantial damage. Flew into a snow squall after 3 attempts to land at departure airport. Lost control. Struck trees on a nearby hill.

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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