# NTSB NYC84LA329: Cessna U206A, North Hudson, NY, March 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1984, 20:00 local (Mar 3, 1984, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: North Hudson, NY
- Coordinates: 43.979793, -73.699272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9798&lon=-73.6993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84LA329

## Probable cause

AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES IN AN AREA OF HIGH TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO TAKEOFF AFTER HE RECEIVED A BRIEFING ADVISING, 'VFR FLIGHT NOT RECOMMENDED', THE DARK NIGHT CONDITIONS, AND SNOW SHOWERS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENTED RATED CANADIAN PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING, WHICH INCLUDED AN ADVISORY THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.   HE FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN & CONTINUED WITH THE NIGHT CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT.  THE PILOT CONTACTED BURLINGTON APPROACH CONTROL & REPORTED HE WAS 29 MILES EAST OF BURLINGTON AT 4500 FEET IN SNOW SHOWERS.  RADAR CONTACT WAS NOT MADE & RADIO COMMUNICATION WAS NOT REESTABLISHED.  ON 7/6/90, THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND BY A HIKER ABOUT 40 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE BURLINGTION AIRPORT, WHERE IT HAD CRASHED ON THE EAST SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN.  THIS WAS ABOUT 60 MILES FROM THE LAST REPORTED POSITION.  AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN INTO THE SIDE OF WOODED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT THE 2000 FOOT LEVEL, HEADING NORTHWEST.  AT BURLINTON, (ELEVATION 334 FEET), THE WEATHER WAS IN PART: 1600 SCATTERED, 3600 BROKEN, VISIBILITY 6 MILES WITH SNOW, WIND FROM 350 DEGREES AT 8 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFUQW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U206-0614
- Airframe hours: 2557
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph D. B. Cote'
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 27, 1983, 80 hours before
- Departed: ALB, ALBANY, NY
- Destination: CYHU, ST HUBERT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,140 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 1 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BTV, 41 nm away

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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