# NTSB NYC86FA077: Cessna 172N, N739SP, Andover, NJ, February 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1986, 16:47 local (21:47 UTC)
- Place: Andover, NJ
- Location: 41.0215° N, 74.7293° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from AEROFLEX/ANDOVER (12N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0215&lon=-74.7293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30178
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30178/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - climb - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - airport/facilities - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT HAD DIFFICULTY LANDING THE ACFT AND INSTRUCTOR HAD DEVOTED TRAINING SESSION TO LANDING TECHNIQUE. THE DIFFICULTY WAS REPORTED TO BE A TENDENCY TO OVER-FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. SATISFIED THE STUDENT HAD CORRECTED HIS PROBLEM AREA, THE THIRD SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT WAS ALLOWED. AFTER ONE SUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF AND LANDING THE STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKEOFF AND LAND ONE MORE TIME. UPON LANDING, THE ACFT OVER-FLARED AND A GO-AROUND WAS ATTEMPTED. THE STUDENT ENTERED A DEPARTURE STALL/SPIN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED VERTICALLY WITH A FROZEN LAKE BED. THE STUDENT WAS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN AND HAD BEEN WORKING STEADILY FOR THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. TOX REPORT INDICATED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE. COCAINE WAS ALSO FOUND IN STUDENT'S PANT POCKET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N739SP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270771
- Airframe hours: 2337
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aeroflex Flight School, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 22, 1985, 97 hours before
- Airport: 12N, Aeroflex - Andover, runway 3, 2,004 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 16 total, 14 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19860220004779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860220004779A), Feb 20, 1986: Cessna 172N, Andover, NJ, Destroyed. Ballooned on landing,began nose high,full flap go around,dumped flaps, stalled and crashed. Had been using cocaine.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.