# NTSB NYC86LA046: Cessna 172RG, N5281U, Mt. Lafayette, NH, December 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1985, 08:35 local (13:35 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Lafayette, NH
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA046
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA046

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT, WHILE IN CRUISE FLT EN ROUTE TO LYNDONVILLE, VT, ENCOUNTERED A SEVERED DOWNDRAFT AND THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO PENETRATE OR CLIMB OUT OF THE DESCENT. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DESCEND UNTIL IMPACT WITH A MOUNTAIN OCCURRED. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE TERRAIN AT CLIMB POWER AND ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5281U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5281U-1989-03-14), registration cancelled 1989-03-14, S/N 172RG0321 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0321
- Airframe hours: 3600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ace Aviation,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 1985, 58 hours before
- Departed: PWM, PORTLAND, ME
- Destination: LYNDONVILLE, VT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 420 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft unknown

## 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 19851203058999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851203058999A), Dec 3, 1985: Cessna 172RG, Mt Lafayette, NH, Substantial damage. During cruise flight,pilot encountered unusually strong downdraft. Started climb but unable to avoid 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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