# NTSB NYC88FA072: Cessna 337E, N1201M, Friedens, PA, February 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1988, 12:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Friedens, PA
- Coordinates: 40.039569, -78.999488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0396&lon=-78.9995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35996
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35996/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88FA072

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, unqualified person (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, unqualified person (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - lack of total experience, unqualified person (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent (cause)
  - stolen aircraft/unauthorized use - initiated, unqualified person (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE 24 YEAR OLD UNLICENSED PILOT MADE AN UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHT IN HIS FATHER'S AIRCRAFT. THE CESSNA 337 WAS OBSERVED TO MANUEVER IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT AT A LOW ALTITUDE IN AND OUT OF THE CLOUDS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO COME OUT OF THE CLOUDS LEFT WING HIGH AND THE NOSE FELL THROUGH THE HORIZON. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ON THE AIRPORT AND WAS DESTROYED BY THE IMPACT. THE PILOT WAS FATALLY INJURED. NO PRE-EXISTING MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT. WEATHER WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 200 FT VARIABLE 400 FT OVERCAST, 1 MILE VISIBILITY, WITH RAIN AND FOG. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PILOT HAD FLOWN SOLO IN THIS AIRCRAFT AND ANOTHER 337 AND A PIPER CHEROKEE ALSO BASED AT THIS AIRPORT. NO RECORD COULD BE FOUND TO INDICATE THE PILOT HAD EVER POSSESSED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OR TAKEN ANY FAA RATING EXAMS. WITNESSES SAID HE HAD RECEIVED FLIGHT INSTRUCTION FROM HIS FATHER, A RETIRED AIRLINE CAPTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1201M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1201M-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 33701301, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 337E
- Registry model: [Cessna 337E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337e) (registry code 2075721) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33701301
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-G 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John F. Higgins
- Registered owner: Fred B. Higgins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: 2G9, Somerset

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; medical: unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19880202001689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880202001689A), Feb 2, 1988: Cessna 337A, Somerset, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Took aircraft for a joy ride in low clouds and fog. Stalled and dove to ground. No license. Aircraft unairworthy.

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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