# NTSB NYC85LA115: Cessna C172, N172TD, Poestenkill, NY, May 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1985, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Poestenkill, NY
- Coordinates: 42.689456, -73.559532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6895&lon=-73.5595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA115

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

CESSNA 172TD ENCOUNTERED STRONG GUSTY CROSSWIND WHILE TAKING FROM RENSSELAER AIRPARK AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT VERRED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OFF THE RUN-WAY AND COLLID WITH THE TERRAIN. FULL RIGHT RUDDER WAS APPLIED TO CORRECT THE DEVIATION. BUT AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N172TD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N172TD), registered now, S/N 17258939, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258939
- Airframe hours: 2048
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter S. Drzymala
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 15, 1985
- Departed: POESTENKILL, NY
- Airport: Rensselaer Co., runway 36, 2,800 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 958 total, 200 in this make and model, 753 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 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 19850504018369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850504018369A), May 4, 1985: Cessna 172K, Troy, NY, Substantial damage. Veered off runway into brush and trees on takeoff roll. Blamed a sudden crosswind gust.

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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