# NTSB NYC85FA131: Cessna TR-182, N756ZM, Grand Island, NY, May 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1985, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Grand Island, NY
- Coordinates: 43.010471, -78.960449 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0105&lon=-78.9604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35812
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35812/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA131

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLT HAD BEEN ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR OVER THE NIAGARA FALLS. THE PLT THEN STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO GIVE HIS PAX A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW FAST THE ACFT APPEARS TO BE TRAVELING WHEN IT IS CLOSE TO THE WATER. THE PLT THEN BEGAN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN OVER THE NIAGARA RIVER. THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PAX STATED THAT HE TURNED IN HIS SEAT TO SPEAK TO HIS WIFE & THE NEXT THING HE KNEW, HE WAS IN THE WATER. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN OVER THE RIVER WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE WATER & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED DISINTEGRATING ON IMPACT. THE SURVIVING PAX & WITNESSES STATED THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL UNTIL IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N756ZM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756ZM-1986-08-26), registration cancelled 1986-08-26, S/N R18201203 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR-182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18201203
- Airframe hours: 1277
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Baugh, Clarence Zingg
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1984, 21 hours before
- Departed: IAG, NIAGARA FALLS, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAG, 9 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 19850521018879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850521018879A), May 21, 1985: Cessna TR182, Grand Island, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pilot was descending to fly low over water when left wing struck water and aircraft cartwheeled.

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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