# NTSB NYC86FA049: Cessna 340A, N36888, Peru, MA, December 8, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1985, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Peru, MA
- Location: 42.4381° N, 73.0459° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Peru, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4381&lon=-73.0459&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA049
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30174/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA049

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - vacuum system - failure,total (cause)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - inoperative (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING IFR FLIGHT AT 12000 FEET BOTH AIRCRAFT VACUUM PUMPS FAILED. AIRCRAFT DESCENDED IN RIGHT TURN OFF RADAR. WITNESSES OBSERVED AIRCRAFT AT LOW ALTITUDE ABOVE TREES, CIRCLE, MAKE STEEP LEFT TURN, CLIMB AND DESCEND TO GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N36888 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0950
- Airframe hours: 2545
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-NB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard D. Friedman
- Registered owner: Lawlor Service Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 29, 1985
- Departed: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Destination: TEB, TETERBORO, NJ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,500 total, 32 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ALB, 38 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 19851208060939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851208060939A), Dec 8, 1985: Cessna 340A, Peru, MA, Destroyed. Collided with terrain while on an IFR flight. Appeared to be in a spin. Pilot advised vacuum pump failure.

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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