# NTSB NYC84FA138: Beech 35-C33, N15VP, Toms River, NJ, April 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1984, 19:54 local (Apr 16, 1984, 00:54 UTC)
- Place: Toms River, NJ
- Location: 39.9537° N, 74.1979° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Toms River, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9537&lon=-74.1979&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FA138
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FA138

## 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 descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PLT STATED THAT WHEN USING HIS BIFOCAL CORRECTIVE LENSES, HE HAD TO TILT HIS HEAD BACK TO INCLUDE THE ALTIMETER IN HIS INSTRUMENT SCAN. IN THE FINAL PHASE OF THE APPROACH, HE FAILED TO NOTE THE ALTIMETER AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15VP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15VP-1992-04-20), registration cancelled 1992-04-20, S/N CD1024 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 35-C33
- Registry model: [Beech 35-C33](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-35-c33) (registry code 1151408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CD-1024
- Airframe hours: 3407
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-K 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Vander Ploeg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1984, 0 hours before
- Departed: CRE, NO.MYRTLE BEACH, SC
- Destination: N44, TOMS RIVER, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: N44, Air Park Airport, runway 6, 5,953 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,543 total, 1,543 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: WRI, 15 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 19840415013809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840415013809A), Apr 15, 1984: Beech 35C33, Toms River, NJ, Destroyed. On approach bifocals interferred with his instrument scan. Collided with terrain. Failed noted altimeter and mda.

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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