# NTSB NYC86FA023: Cessna 172N, N734PX, Rochester, NH, October 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1985, 16:55 local (21:55 UTC)
- Place: Rochester, NH
- Location: 43.3045° N, 70.9756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Rochester, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3045&lon=-70.9756&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30168
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30168/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

DURING LANDING APPROACH TO RUNWAY 32, THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO PORPOISE OVER THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED IN THIS MANNER UNTIL IT NEARED THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT THEN STARTED A SLOW CLIMBING RIGHT TURN JUST CLEARING NEARBY TREES. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE STEEPENED TO BETWEEN 45 AND 60 DEGREES BEFORE IT DESCENDED AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. WINDS WERE REPORTED AS VARIABLE FROM 260 TO 310 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION. THE FLAPS WERE UP. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PILOT IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734PX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734PX-1989-03-08), registration cancelled 1989-03-08, S/N 17269017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269017
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: U Of N.H. Flying Club
- Registered owner: University Of New Hampshire
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1985, 50 hours before
- Airport: 6B1, runway 32, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 217 total, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Observed at: CON, 12 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 19851027053979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851027053979A), Oct 27, 1985: Cessna 172N, Rochester, NH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During go around, aircraft made a right turn and continued rolling to an inverted position and ground impact.

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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