# NTSB NYC84FA092: Cessna 425, N6886D, Dryden, NY, February 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1984, 10:50 local (15:50 UTC)
- Place: Dryden, NY
- Coordinates: 42.510429, -76.34095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5104&lon=-76.3410&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA092

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - flight/navigation instrument(s) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS UTILIZING THE AUTOPILOT AND FLT DIRECTOR TO EXECUTE THE ILS APPCH TO RWY 32. THE AUTOPILOT WAS TRACKING THE LOCALIZER WHILE THE PILOT CONTROLLED THE RATE OF DESCENT ALONG THE GLIDESLOPE WITH PITCH COMMAND WHEEL ON THE AUTOPILOT, USING THE COMMAND BARS AS A STEERING REFERENCE IN ADDITION TO THE RAW DATA GLIDESLOPE NEEDLE ON THE HSI. ALL SEEMED NORMAL, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, UNTIL THE ACFT STRUCK TREES ABOUT 450 FEET ABOVE ARPT ELEVATION TWO MILES SHORT OF THE RWY AND CAME TO REST ON THE LOCALIZER CENTERLINE. A ZERO FT CEILING WITH AN EIGHTH MILE VSBY EXISTED AT THE ARPT. DURING THE INVSTGTN, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE 1000A IFCS WILL NOT PROVIDE VERTICAL STEERING COMMANDS AS OPERATED BY THE PLT, BUT IS DRIVEN BY THE PITCH WHEEL. THIS IS NOT SPECIFICALLY STATED IN THE POH. THE PLT HAD FLOWN EXTENSIVELY WITH THE 800 SERIES IFCS WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE EXPECTED STEERING COMMANDS. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE PRECLUDED A FUNCTIONAL TEST OF THE RAW DATA GLIDESLOPE NEEDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6886D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6886D-1984-06-08), registration cancelled 1984-06-08, S/N 425-0152 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 425
- Registry model: [Cessna 425](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-425) (registry code 2076018) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 425-0152
- Airframe hours: 572
- Engines: P&W PT6A-112 450 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald J. Moore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 12, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: ORH, WORCESTER, MA
- Destination: ITH, ITHACA, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ITH, Tompkins County, runway 32, 5,801 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,541 total, 401 in this make and model, 3,478 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ITH, 3 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 19840225006689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840225006689A), Feb 25, 1984: Cessna 425, Dryden, NY, Destroyed. Descended into trees on hill during approach. Improper management of flight director glide slope mode.

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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