# NTSB NYC85LA183: Cessna 172E, N3625S, Gardiner, NY, July 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1985, 20:30 local (Jul 19, 1985, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Gardiner, NY
- Coordinates: 41.680992, -74.180168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6810&lon=-74.1802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35922
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA183
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35922/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA183

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE RETURN FLT TO GARDINER, NY, THE PLT ELECTED TO FLY ALONG THE WALKILL RIVER. THE ACFT CONTACTED POWER LINES WHICH CROSSED OVER THE RIVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED IN APRX 1 1/2 FT OF WATER. THE PLT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE OF THE POWER LINES AND HE DID NOT SEE THEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3625S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250825
- Airframe hours: 4541
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Richards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1984
- Departed: 1B1, HUDSON, NY
- Destination: 5NY5, GARDINER, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,446 total, 680 in this make and model, 1,269 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: POU

## 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 19850718032819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850718032819A), Jul 18, 1985: Cessna 172E, Gardiner, NY, Substantial damage. Flew low over river and struck powerlines. Aircraft then fell into the river inverted.

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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