# NTSB NYC88LA079: Cessna 172P, N52535, East Hampton, NY, February 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1988, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: East Hampton, NY
- Coordinates: 40.949329, -72.189765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9493&lon=-72.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED EAST HAMPTON AIRPORT FOR A PLEASURE FLT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE PILOT CALLED ON FREQUENCY 122.7 STATING THAT HE HAD STRUCK SOME BIRDS AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THERE AS NO FURTHER TRANSMISSION AS TO HIS LOCATION, AND THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN THE OCEAN. THE PILOT IS PRESUMED FATAL. THE ONLY PART OF THE ACFT RECOVERED TO DATE IS THE HEAD REST. A BOAT IN THE AREA HAD HOOKED ON TO THE TAIL OF THE ACFT BUT COULD NOT HOLD IT. THE RESCUE EFFORT WAS DISCONTINUED DUE TO BAD WX. DIVERS REPORTED UNDERWATER VISIBILITY AS ZERO. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 1 MILE OFFSHORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52535](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52535-1989-08-14), registration cancelled 1989-08-14, S/N 17274550 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274550
- Airframe hours: 2677
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: East Hampton Aire,Inc.
- Registered owner: East Hampton Flight Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- 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 19880211002259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880211002259A), Feb 11, 1988: Cessna 172P, East Hampton, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Declared may day due to bird strike, unable to control plane. Crashed into ocean a mile off shore. Acft destroyed.

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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