# NTSB NYC85FA227: Cessna 150M, N66190, Danby, VT, September 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1985, 22:00 local (Sep 1, 1985, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Danby, VT
- Location: 43.3138° N, 72.9808° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from RUTLAND/SOUTHERN VERMONT RGNL (RUT), within about 4 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3138&lon=-72.9808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35580
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FA227
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35580/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FA227

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF N66190 RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FROM LEBANON FLIGHT SERVICE STATION AND WAS ADVISED OF LOW CEILINGS AND ALSO ADVISED THAT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. AT ABOUT THE TIME N66190 WAS DEPARTING RUTLAND, VERMONT, A HELICOPTER PILOT FLYING IN THE AREA REPORTED THE CEILING TO BE AT ABOUT 1500 WITH GOOD VISIBILITY UNDERNEATH. AT 2147 EDT, N66190 CONTACTED THE LEBANON FSS BY RADIO AND STATED THAT HE WAS ENROUTE TO CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY. THE PILOT REQUESTED THE WEATHER FOR ALBANY AND POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK. THE CURRENT WEATHER WAS PROVIDED AND ACKNOWLEDGED. NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED FROM N66190. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES SOUTHWEST OF RUTLAND COUNTY STATED AIRPORT AT AN ALTITUDE OFABOUT 3100 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66190](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66190-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15075908, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15075908
- Airframe hours: 21198
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel J. Stern
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985, 528 hours before
- Departed: RUT, RUTLAND, VT
- Destination: CDW, CALDWELL, NJ
- Airport: RUT, Rutland

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 425 total, 135 in this make and model, 336 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GFL, 24 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 19850831047139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850831047139A), Aug 31, 1985: Cessna 150M, Danby, VT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with terrain 400 feet below obscured mountain crest at night.

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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