# NTSB NYC85FA083: Cessna 401A, N12CQ, Dorset, VT, March 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 17, 1985, 20:15 local (Mar 18, 1985, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Dorset, VT
- Location: 43.2605° N, 73.1084° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Dorset, VT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2605&lon=-73.1084&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35799
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA083
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35799/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA083

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ABOUT 30 MILES FROM RUTLAND WHEN HE RADIOED THE ARPT FOR WEATHER INFO. HE WAS INFORMED THAT CLOUDS WERE 1500 FT BROKEN AND 2700 FT OVERCAST WITH SNOW, LIGHT FOG AND 5 MILES VISIBILITY. THE PLT RESPONDED THAT HE WOULD CALL AGAIN WHEN HE GOT CLOSER TO THE ARPT. THERE WAS NO FURTHER TRANSMISSION RECEIVED FROM THE PLT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH DORSET MT, LOCATED ABOUT 18 MILES SOUTH OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT WAS IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE AND AT A ELEVATION OF 3300 FT. DORSET MT IS 3515 FT HIGH. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. NO FLT PLAN WAS FILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12CQ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 401A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 401A116
- Airframe hours: 3062
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Registered owner: Culen And Himilton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 1984
- Departed: CDW, CALDWELL, NJ
- Destination: RUT, RUTLAND, VT
- Airport: RUT, Rutland State

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,946 total, 3,149 in this make and model, 4,771 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19850317012009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850317012009A), Mar 17, 1985: Cessna 401A, Dorset, VT, Destroyed. Collided with trees and rising terrain on dark night. No flight plan filed and pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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