# NTSB NYC85FA110: Cessna R182, N4972S, Hamilton Twnshp, NJ, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 20:48 local (Apr 21, 1985, 01:48 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton Twnshp, NJ
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA110

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - decision height - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT'S ORIGINAL DESTN WAS BADER FIELD AT ATLANTIC CITY. HOWEVER, DURING ARRIVAL, HE DIVERTED TO THE ATLANTIC CITY ARPT, SINCE BADER FIELD WAS BELOW MINS. VECTORS WERE PROVIDED FOR AN ILS RWY 13 APCH & THE PLT WAS CLEARED FOR THE APCH. HE WAS THEN CLEARED TO LAND & WAS ADVISED THAT THE RVR FOR RWY 13 WAS 4000 FT & THE WIND WAS FROM 090 DEG AT 5 KTS. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED THE TRANSMISSION, THEN THERE WAS NO FURTHER RADIO CONTACT WITH THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASH ABOUT 3.5 MI NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT IN A WOODED AREA. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED WITH TREES JUST SLIGHTLY LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE LINE. ELEVATION AT THE ACDNT SITE WAS 60 FT. THE ARPT ELEVATION WAS 76 FT & THE DECISION HEIGHT FOR THE ILS WAS 276 FT. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE ACDNT. DURING THE FLT THE PLT HAD RADIOED THAT A CIRCUIT BREAKER HAD 'POPPED' BUT HE ALSO SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. THE BREAKERS FOR THE NAV LGTS & FLAPS WERE FOUND DISENGAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4972S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4972S-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N R18201499 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R182
- Registry model: [Cessna R182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r182) (registry code 2072734) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18201499
- Airframe hours: 7574
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert L. Hilderbrand
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 21, 1984, 614 hours before
- Departed: BVY, BEVERLY, MA
- Destination: ACY, ATLANTIC CITY, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACY, Atlantic City, runway 13, 10,000 × 180 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,925 total, 22 in this make and model, 1,815 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACY

## 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 19850420036319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420036319A), Apr 20, 1985: Cessna R182, Atlantic City, NJ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Disappeared from ground radar scope inside of outer marker. Hit trees, then ground. Cause undetermined.

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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