# NTSB NYC87FA119: Cessna 172N, N5535E, Ferguson Twnshp, PA, April 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1987, 10:56 local (14:56 UTC)
- Place: Ferguson Twnshp, PA
- Coordinates: 40.789329, -77.850784 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7893&lon=-77.8508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA119
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA119

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO HAD NOT COMPLETED HIS CHECKOUT IN A CESSNA 172, WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A LONG LANDING AND LIFT OFF WITH APPROXIMATELY 750 FT OF RUNWAY REMAINING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO ENTER A NOSE HIGH PITCH ATTITUDE AND DRIFT INTO A RIGHT TURN. THE AIRPORT HAS LEFT TRAFFIC FOR THE RUNWAY BEING USED. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED ITS RIGHT TURN IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AND THEN WAS OBSERVED TO ROLL VERY SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WINDS WERE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 GUSTING TO 13 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5535E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5535E-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 17271884, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271884
- Airframe hours: 2554
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nittany Aero Club
- Registered owner: Nittany Aero Club, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 27, 1986, 325 hours before
- Departed: SEC, STATE COLLEGE, PA
- Destination: UNV
- Airport: State College, runway 4, 4,065 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 128 total, 6 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 30 °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 19870411082719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870411082719A), Apr 11, 1987: Cessna 172N, Ferguson Townsh, PA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. After ballooning on runway made a belated nose high go around and a steep turn out. Stalled and crashed.

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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