# NTSB NYC87LA068: Cessna 152, N4837P, Princeton, NJ, January 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 25, 1987, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Princeton, NJ
- Location: 40.3991° N, 74.6590° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PRINCETON (39N), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3991&lon=-74.6590&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30587
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30587/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA068

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LEVELED OFF AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL ALTITUDE DURING LANDING. HE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE DESCENT RATE BY ADDING POWER. THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND THE PILOT CONTEMPLATED ABORTING THE LANDING. BEFORE HE COULD INITIATE ADDING POWER, HOWEVER, THE LEFT WHEEL CAUGHT IN THE SNOW AND FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4837P (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284828
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 108 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Raritan Valley Flying School
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 39N
- Airport: 39N, Princeton, runway 28, 3,100 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 55 total, 55 in this make and model, 5 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 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 19870125001049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870125001049A), Jan 25, 1987: Cessna 152, Princeton/Rocky, NJ, Substantial damage. Off side (.4)the student pilot leveled off at a higher than normal altitude during landing. He attempted to slow the descent rate by adding power. The aircraft…

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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