# NTSB NYC87LA269: Ryan ST-3RR, N400AW, Hamburg, NY, September 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 25, 1987, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Hamburg, NY
- Coordinates: 42.720981, -78.829605 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7210&lon=-78.8296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA269

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE ARPT, THE WINDS WERE FROM 280 DEG AT 20 GUSTING 25 KTS. HE BELIEVED THAT WITH THE STRONG X-WIND & GUSTS, IT WOULD BE SAFER TO LAND ON SOD BESIDE THE RWY. DURING THE LANDING, THE MAIN GEAR SANK INTO THE SOD & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THE SOD WAS SOFT AFTER A HEAVY RAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N400AW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: RYAN ST-3RR
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ST3RR
- Airframe hours: 3236
- Engines: KINNER R-56 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Howard R. Hill
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1987, 20 hours before
- Departed: GENESEO, NY
- Airport: 4G2, Hamburg Airdrome, runway 19, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 850 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19870925056419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870925056419A), Sep 25, 1987: Ryan ST3KR, Hamburg, NY, Substantial damage. Elected to land on sod adjacent to runway. Hit soft spot and aircraft nosed over. Wind exceeded crosswind component

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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