# NTSB NYC84FA054: Cessna 310R, N87291, Buffalo, NY, December 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1983, 04:08 local (09:08 UTC)
- Place: Buffalo, NY
- Coordinates: 42.930316, -78.75 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9303&lon=-78.7500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35305
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35305/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA054

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH LAKE ERIE DURING ILS APPROACH TO RWY 05 AT BUFFALO, NY. THE ACFT HAD BEEN DESCENDED TO 3000 FT AND THE PLT REPORTED TURNING INBOUND FROM DUNKIRK VOR TO THE ILS. HE WAS CLEARED FOR THE APPROACH AND TOLD TO REPORT THE OUTER MARKER TO WHICH HE ACKNOWLEDGED. ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER THE PLT REQUESTED THE SURFACE WINDS AND AFTER RECEIVING THEM ACKNOWLEDGED WITH AN 'OK'. THERE WERE NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS. ATTEMPTS TO RE-ESTABLISH COMMUNICATIONS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE LAST RECORDED RADAR DATA ON THE ACFT AT 0408:42 SHOWED THE ACFT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 2500 FT ON A HEADING OF 55 DEGREES AT 154 KTS AND ABOUT 13 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT. SOME WRECKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACFT WAS LOCATED BY THE COAST GUARD ABOUT 2 HOURS LATER AT 12 MILES FROM THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87291](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87291-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 310R0504, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R0504
- Airframe hours: 3583
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Air Central, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 18, 1983, 96 hours before
- Departed: WINDSOR LOCKS, CT
- Destination: BUF, BUFFALO, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BUF, Buffalo Int'L, runway 5, 8,100 × 150 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19831214060639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831214060639A), Dec 14, 1983: Cessna 310R, Buffalo, NY, Destroyed. Disappeared off radar scope on initial ILS approach. Wreckage pieces found in lake. Light rain,temperature 31 degree

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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