# NTSB NYC86LA123: Cessna 152, N65618, Hallstead, PA, May 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1986, 21:45 local (May 10, 1986, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Hallstead, PA
- Coordinates: 41.96075, -75.740287 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9607&lon=-75.7403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30336
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30336/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - object - tree(s)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base turn

## Analysis

THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED IN A VALLEY BETWEEN TWO ROWS OF MOUNTAINS ON THE NY/PA BORDER. THE PLT HAD COMPLETED TWO TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS TO A FULL STOP AT NIGHT FOR NIGHT CURRENCY. AFTER TAKEOFF AND LEVELING OFF AT 2,000 FEET MSL AND DOWNWIND FOR A LEFT BASE TO RUNWAY 33, PLT WAS ABEAM APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 33 BEFORE LANDING CHECK COMPLETED, AND A 500 RATE OF DESCENT WAS ESTABLISHED. AFTER A LEFT TURN WAS MADE, PLT TURNED ON LANDING LIGHT, AND SAW THE TREES IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF HIM, AND HAD NO TIME TO REACT AND EXPERIENCED IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65618](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65618-1989-04-04), registration cancelled 1989-04-04, S/N 15281654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15281654
- Airframe hours: 2006
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Lewis
- Registered owner: Charles Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 2, 1986, 42 hours before
- Departed: 5N5, KIRKWOOD, NY
- Airport: 5N5, Kirkwood, runway 33, 3,360 × 80 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 383 total, 11 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860509016829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860509016829A), May 9, 1986: Cessna 152, Hallstead, PA, Destroyed. Made two touch and goes for night currency. On third landing after left turn, collided with trees.

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.