# NTSB NYC87FA170: Cessna 310Q, N5527K, Montgomery, NY, June 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1987, 21:17 local (Jun 4, 1987, 01:17 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, NY
- Coordinates: 41.520744, -74.23059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5207&lon=-74.2306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 15, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30500
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87FA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30500/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87FA170

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N5527K CRASHED ABOUT 2 MILES SOUTH OF THE ORANGE CNTY AIRPORT SHORTLY AFTER A NIGHT TKOF FM RUNWAY 21. DEPARTURE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE IFR FLT INCLUDED A RIGHT TURN OF 130 DEGREES, TO 340 DEGREES MAGNETIC TO INTERCEPT V-58 AND CLIMB TO 5000 FT. THE PLT CONTACTED BOSTON ARTCC, APPARENTLY AFTER TKOF. WHEN ASKED IF HE WAS AIRBORNE THE RESPONSE FM THE PLTWAS GARBLED. THERE WERE NO FURTHER RADIO TRANSMISSIONS AND RADAR CONTACT WAS NOT ESTABLISHED. WITNESSES RPTD HEARING A LOW FLYING ACFT BUT DID NOT SEE IT. THEY RPTD MISTY/FOGGY WEATHER CONDITIONS. A PARTIAL OBSCURATION WITH A CEILING OF 1000 FT OVCST, 4 MILES VISIBILITY, FOG AND HAZE WAS RPTD 7 MILES EAST OF THE ACDT SITE. THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A STEEP DESCENT. DESTRUCTION OF THE ACFT PRECLUDED DETAILED SYSTEMS DOCUMENTATION. ENGINE TEARDOWNS DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. TREE LIMBS OVER CRASH SITE WERE BROWN-STAINED AS IF BY FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5527K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5527K-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N 31001136, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 310Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310q) (registry code 2074242) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31001136
- Airframe hours: 3405
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-DCE 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. M. Keddal & Associates, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 5, 1987
- Destination: AGC, WEST MIFFLIN, PA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: Orange County, runway 21, 5,000 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SWF, 7 nm away

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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