# NTSB NYC84FNC09: Cessna 172, N5091A, Pownal, ME, August 25, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1984, 19:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Pownal, ME
- Location: 43.8991° N, 70.1818° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Town of Pownal, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8991&lon=-70.1818&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): 35419
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNC09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35419/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNC09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - performed, pilot in command
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - other
  - maintenance,installation - not performed

## Analysis

PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT MAKING SEVERAL LOW PASSES & MANEUVERING. DURING THE LAST MANEUVER, THE ACFT ENTERED A DIVE & COLLIDED WITH TREES BEFORE THE PLT RECOVERED. TREES WERE BROKEN OR DAMAGED OVER AN AREA OF ABOUT 200 FT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. THE CABIN AREA WAS NOT DEFORMED TO PRECLUDE SURVIVAL & THE PILOT REMAINED SECURED BY HIS SEATBELT; HOWEVER, NO SHOULDER HARNESS WAS AVAILABLE IN THE ACFT. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.197%

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5091A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5091A-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 28091, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28091
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold Earl Hibbard, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1983
- Airport: 77B, Pownal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,207 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19840825045189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840825045189A), Aug 25, 1984: Cessna 172, Pownal, ME, Destroyed. Witnesses stated aircraft had been buzzing area for 20 minutes when it dived into trees on the last pass.

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.