# NTSB NYC85LA210: Cessna 172P, N52503, Stormville, NY, August 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1985, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Stormville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.540584, -73.729553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5406&lon=-73.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35945
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35945/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, DURING THE SECOND TOUCH AND GO LANDING, AT ABUT 30 FEET FROM TOUCHDOWN, A WIND GUST LIFTED AND VEERED THE AIRCRAFT LEFT OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GO AROUND APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND THE AIRCRAFT FELL TO THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. WWITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT DESCRIBED THE ACCIDENT IN A SIMILAR WAY; HOWEVER POWER WAS ADDED AFTER THE AIRCRAFT CONTACTED THE TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52503 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274543
- Airframe hours: 1056
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dean W. Dutcher
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1985
- Departed: POU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
- Airport: N69, Stormville, runway 6, 3,320 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 450 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850801072799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850801072799A), Aug 1, 1985: Cessna 172P, Stormville, NY, Substantial damage. Struck trees and impacted ground during go around. Stated a gust of wind blew him off centerline of runway.

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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