# NTSB NYC88LA031: Cessna 172, N9538L, Stamford, CT, November 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1987, 09:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Stamford, CT
- Location: 41.0534° N, 73.5387° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Stamford, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0534&lon=-73.5387&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA031

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR (CFI) REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST REACHED THE TOP OF A CLIMB AT 2500 FT WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING WAS MADE ON A GOLF COURSE. DURING THE LANDING, THE WINGS STRUCK TREES AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS DAMAGED. THE GOLF COURSE HAD NUMEROUS TREES AND THE TERRAIN WAS NOT LEVEL. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE DISCLOSED THE ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLY FOR THE NUMBER 1 EXHAUST VALVE HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9538L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9538L-1989-06-05), registration cancelled 1989-06-05, S/N 17276572 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 76572
- Airframe hours: 467
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Panaroma Flight Service, doing business as Panorama Flight
- Registered owner: Miles E. Weiss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 1, 1987, 42 hours before
- Departed: HPN, WHITE PLAINS, NY
- Destination: ISP, ISLIP, NY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,452 total, 830 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 245 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HPN, 7 nm away

## 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 19871105083389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871105083389A), Nov 5, 1987: Cessna 172P, Stamford, CT, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on climb to cruise. Landing on golf course, struck trees. Broken exhaust rocker arm NR1 cylinder

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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