# NTSB NYC85LA086: Cessna 182, N97700, Fairfield, PA, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1985, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, PA
- Location: 39.7890° N, 77.3698° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fairfield, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7890&lon=-77.3698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35846
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35846/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA086

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - failure,partial (cause)
  - vacuum system - inoperative (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude indicator - inoperative
  - flight/nav instruments,turn and bank indicator - inoperative
  - flight/nav instruments,directional gyro - inoperative
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - not possible
  - descent - inadvertent
  - remedial action - performed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLT, THE ACFT HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHILE FLYING IN INSTRUMENT (IFR) CONDITIONS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT ONLY THE ALTIMETER, AIRSPEED INDICATOR & MAG COMPASS WERE OPERATING. HE BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED & THE ACFT ENTERED SEVERAL DIVES & AT LEAST 1 SPIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT DESCENDED BELOW THE CLOUDS IN A VALLEY WHERE THE PLT COULD MAINTAIN VISUAL REFERENCES. THE PLT THEN MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON ROUGH/UPHILL TERRAIN WHERE THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED. THE PLT SAID THE SURROUNDING HILLS WERE COVERED WITH CLOUDS. ALSO, HE SAID THAT THE VACUUM PUMP, TURN & BANK INDICATOR, ATTITUDE INDICATOR & STALL WARNING SYS BECAME INOP OR MALFUNCTIONED WHILE HE WAS IN IFR CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97700](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N97700), registered now, S/N 18267171, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267171
- Airframe hours: 799
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Penn Shadecrafters,Inc.
- Registered owner: Robert L. Carter
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1984
- Departed: 9N3, FACTORYVILLE, PA
- Destination: GSO, GREENSBORO, NC
- Flight plan: IFR

## 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--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 842 total, 750 in this make and model, 792 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRB

## 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 19850323075959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850323075959A), Mar 23, 1985: Cessna 182Q, Fairfield, PA, Substantial damage. Electrical failure and vacuum pump failure en route. Landed on upsloping field after ATC descent aid.

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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