# NTSB NYC85LA076: Fairchild 24W-46, N81385, Andover, NJ, March 9, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1985, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Andover, NJ
- Location: 40.9857° N, 74.7437° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Andover, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9857&lon=-74.7437&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35838
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35838/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 300 DEG AT 12 GUSTING 20 KTS. WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO LAND, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A GUST & SETTLED PREMATURELY. IT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT & THE LEFT WHEEL ENTERED A GRASSY AREA. THE PLT INITIATED CORRECTIVE ACTION, THEN THE ACFT VEERED RIGHT, HIT A SNOWBANK & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81385](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81385-2023-11-20), registration cancelled 2023-11-20, S/N W46285, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD 24W-46
- Registry model: [Fairchild 24W-46](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-24w-46) (registry code 3370626) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Warner SS165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/warner-ss165-series) (registry code 64504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46-285
- Airframe hours: 1284
- Engines: JACOBS L-4-MB reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jaseph Bowser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 1985
- Airport: Aeroflex, runway 21, 2,004 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 966 total, 4 in this make and model, 914 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19850309008539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850309008539A), Mar 9, 1985: Frchld 24W46, Andover, NJ, Substantial damage. Left wheel entered grassy area during landing. Aircraft veered in gusty conditions and struck a snowbank.

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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