# NTSB NYC87LA186: Cessna 172, N35354, Olyhant, PA, June 24, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1987, 05:15 local (09:15 UTC)
- Place: Olyhant, PA
- Coordinates: 41.450973, -75.588996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4510&lon=-75.5890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 14, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CROSS COUNTRY PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION FLIGHT ARRIVED IN THE SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA AREA FOR A PLANNED REFUELING STOP AND ENCOUNTERED HEAVY FOG CONDITIONS. SIX ATTEMPTS TO LAND WERE MADE, BUT WERE ABORTED. AN ATTEMPT TO LAND AT ANOTHER AIRPORT WAS ALSO ABORTED. BEING OUT OF FUEL THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON A ROAD AND CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35354](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35354-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 17256729, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17256729
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Shaheen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1987
- Departed: CUMBERLAND, MD
- Destination: DOVER, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 154 total, 154 in this make and model, 97 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19870624026369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870624026369A), Jun 24, 1987: Cessna STC172, Olyphant, PA, Substantial damage. Fuel exhaustion while attempting to land at airport in fog. Crashed into a wooded area near the field.

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.
