# NTSB NYC86FA237: Cessna 337D, N2680S, Lapeer, NY, September 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1986, 01:13 local (05:13 UTC)
- Place: Lapeer, NY
- Coordinates: 42.440788, -76.029083 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4408&lon=-76.0291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FA237

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - radio communications - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - low level (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING THE PLTS ATTEMPT TO COMPLETE A NIGHT X-COUNTRY IN IMC WX CONDITIONS. THE FLT HAD PROGRESSED APRX 4 HRS & 34 MIN FROM SC TO NY PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE PLT WAS NOT CURRENTLY RATED TO FLY IFR. THE PLT REPORTED BY RADIO TO SYRACUSE APPRCH CONTROL THAT HE LOST AN ENG TRYING TO APPROACH HIS DEST AND HE WAS GOING TO BINGHAMTON NY. THE WX WENT BELOW MINIMUMS AT BINGHAMTON AND THE CONTROLLING AGENCIES WERE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN RADIO CONTACT WITH N2680S. CONTACT WAS TRIED THRU OTHER ACFT . ONE ACFT SAID HE HEARD TRANSMISSIONS FROM N2680S BUT NO ANSWERING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. A SHORT TIME LATER RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A FIELD WITH A TREE LINE NEAR LAPEER NY. ON SITE INVESTIGATION DETERMINED THAT BOTH ENGINES WERE PRODUCING PWR AT IMPACT. ALL CHECKS INDICATED NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MALFUNTION OF THE ACFT. TOXICOLOGY SCREENING RESULTS WERE NEGATIVE FOR THE PLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2680S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 337-0980
- Airframe hours: 1351
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-C/D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Milton H. Petzold
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 1986, 22 hours before
- Departed: FLO, FLORENCE, SC
- Destination: N17, ENDICOTT, NY
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: BGM, Edwin A. Link Fld. Broome

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 715 total, 20 in this make and model, 560 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860919045489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860919045489A), Sep 19, 1986: Cessna 337D, Binghamton, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot lost radio reception. Aircraft impacted terrain en route to IFR alternate airport. Pilot not current for IFR.

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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