# NTSB NYC85FFA02: Cessna 177, N3401T, Claryville, NY, April 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 23, 1985, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Claryville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.97916, -74.569557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9792&lon=-74.5696&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35588
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85FFA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35588/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85FFA02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - precautionary landing - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - radio communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG DUE TO THE PLTS EST OF A LOW FUEL STATE. THE FLT HAD PROCEEDED    R ENROUTE TO AN INTENDED DEST OF OXFORD ME FROM FREDERICK MD WITHOUT FILLING A FLT PLAN. AFTER APRX 3 HRS OF FLYING ON A 60 DEGREE MAG HDG THE PLT DECIDED TO DESCEND THROUGH THE CLOUD DECK TO LOOK FOR AN ARPT TO REFUEL OR A FIELD FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LNDGING DUE TO LOW FUEL STATE. THE DESCENT WAS MADE FROM 9500 FT TO 3500 FT FINALLY IN DETERIORATING WX. CLARYVILLE NY WAS CIRCLED A FEW TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT AT ORIGINATION. THE PLT NEVER USED THE RADIO,HE SAID.TO TRY FOR 2 WAY COMMUNICATION FOR NAV AID. AN ATTEMPT TO LAND IN A FIELD NW OF CLARYVILLE ENDED IN AN OVERSHOOT & ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND BEFORE FLYING UNDER WIRES & STRIKING TREES. THE ACFT WAS IMPALED ABOUT 12 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE NEVER CONSIDERED MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN DURING THE DETERIORATING WX EVEN THOUGH HE WAS UNSURE OF HIS POSITION WHEN STARTING THE DESCENT FROM 9500 FT. ONE WING TANK WAS RUPTURED IN THE CRASH & THE PLT COULD NOT EST FUEL REMAINING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3401T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3401T-1990-07-26), registration cancelled 1990-07-26, S/N 17700701 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700701
- Airframe hours: 1988
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arlin J. Holt
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1985, 25 hours before
- Departed: FDK, FREDERICK, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 290 total, 34 in this make and model, 259 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850423014069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850423014069A), Apr 23, 1985: Cessna 177, Claryville, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot flew above clouds until low on fuel. Descended and attempted landing. Went under wires and into trees.

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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