# NTSB NYC84FA078: Dassault Falcon 10, N10AH, Trenton, NJ, January 30, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1984, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC)
- Place: Trenton, NJ
- Location: 40.2238° N, 74.7636° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Trenton, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2238&lon=-74.7636&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35314
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35314/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - object - tree(s)
  - flight/navigation instrument(s) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DISTRACTED BY AN INTERRUPTION IN TAXI AND DEPARTURE ROUTINES, THE PILOT RESET HIS ALTITUDE ALERT CONTROLLER TO TWO HUNDRED FEET INSTEAD OF TWO THOUSAND FEET, HIS AMMENDED CLEARANCE ALTITUDE.  TAKING OFF ON INSTRUMENTS IN THE DENSE MORNING FOG, THE ALERT SYSTEM COMMANDED A LEVEL-OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, APPROXIMATELY 161 FTABOVE SEA LEVEL. A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB WAS OBTAINED, VFR CONDITIONS WERE REACHED AND THE AIRCRAFT DIVERTED TO THE NEAREST CLEAR AIRPORT WHERE A SAFE LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N10AH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: DASSAULT FALCON 10
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 139
- Airframe hours: 1552
- Engines: GARRETT TFE 731-2-1C 3230 lbs thrust turbo jet
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: American Hospital Supply
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Transport
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 18, 1983, 52 hours before
- Departed: TTN, TRENTON, NJ
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Unk.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,900 total, 550 in this make and model, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TTN, 1 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 19840130076729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840130076729A), Jan 30, 1984: Amd FALCON10, Trenton, NJ, Substantial damage. Altitude preselect improperly set before takeoff. Leveled off too low. Descended slightly and impacted 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.