# NTSB NYC86FA002: Cessna C-377A, N6524J, Breakabeen, NY, October 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 5, 1985, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Breakabeen, NY
- Coordinates: 42.590736, -74.320968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5907&lon=-74.3210&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA002

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, unknown
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, unknown
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - panic, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - wing - separation
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ADVISED BY SEVERAL SOURCES THAT BAD WX WAS LOCATED ALONG THE INTENDED ROUTE OF FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT HE INTENDED TO FLY OVER THE BAD WX SINCE WX AT THE DESTINATION WAS GOOD. A MAYDAY CALL FROM 24J WAS BROADCASTED OVER THE EMER. FREQ. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT SPIN OUT OF THE SKY FOLLOWED BY PIECES OF ALUMINUM. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE WX AT THE TIME WAS THUNDERSTORMS, LIGHTNING, HIGH WINDS AND HEAVY RAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6524J (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-377A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0416
- Airframe hours: 2008
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: George L. Parker
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 11, 1985, 48 hours before
- Departed: GBR, GT.BARRINGTON, MA
- Destination: FFT, FRANKFORT, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,674 total, 26 in this make and model, 2,489 as pilot in command, 129 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 30 nm away

## 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 19851005048929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851005048929A), Oct 5, 1985: Cessna 337A, Breakabeen, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Entered area of rain and turbulence in SIGMET area despite weather briefing. Mid air breakup of aircraft.

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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