# NTSB NYC89FA074: Cessna 305A, N5300G, Blairstown, NJ, January 28, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: January 28, 1989, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Blairstown, NJ - Location: 40.9873° N, 74.9547° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Blairstown, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9873&lon=-74.9547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 15, 1991 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 36266 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36266/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA074 ## Probable cause DELAYS BY BOTH PILOTS IN RELEASING THE GLIDER TOW LINE AFTER THE GLIDER PILOT ALLOWED THE GLIDER TO MANEUVER EXCESSIVELY ABOVE THE TOW AIRCRAFT. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE FACTORS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor) - climb - excessive, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - glider/tow release - delayed, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - glider/tow release - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis CESSNA 305A, N5300G, WAS BEING USED TO TOW A GLIDER (SCHWEIZER SGS-1-26C, N8612R) FROM A 3102 FT GRASS RWY. THE GLIDER PLT ESTIMATED THE TOW LINE WAS LESS THAN 150 FT IN LENGTH. HE RPRTD THE SCHWEIZER WAS VERY SENSITIVE ON TOW & THAT THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED TOWING SPEED WAS 50 TO 60 MPH, BUT THE TOW PLT PREFERRED A HIGHER TOW SPEED. ON SVRL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, THE GLIDER PLT HAD REQUESTED A 'CONSERVATIVE' SPEED. RPRTDLY, THEY COMPROMISED ON A SLOW TOW TO 1000' AGL, THEN A SPEED OF 80 MPH TO THE RELEASE POINT. THE GLIDER PLT STATED THE WIND WAS GUSTY, BUT THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL TO ABOUT 150' AGL, THEN THE GLIDER ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE. SLACK DEVELOPED IN THE TOW LINE & THE GLIDER PLT CORRECTED BY USING YAW. WITNESSES RPRTD THE GLIDER MOVED OUT OF PSN TO THE LEFT, THEN RIGHT, THEN BACK LEFT & HIGH, RAISING THE TAIL OF THE TOW PLANE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TOW PLANE ENTERED A STEEP DSCNT & CRASHED, THOUGH BOTH PLTS HAD RELEASED THE TOW LINE. THE GLIDER LNDD SAFELY. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5300G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5300G), registered now, S/N 22521, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 305A - Registry model: [Cessna 305A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-305a) (registry code 2074002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 22521 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-11B 213 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eagle Ridge Soaring, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1988 - Airport: INT, Blairstown, runway 25, 3,102 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,766 total, 1,217 in this make and model, 4,420 as pilot in command, 93 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 16 knots - Visibility: 12 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ABE, 28 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 19890128065752A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890128065752A), Jan 28, 1989: Cessna 305A, Blairstown, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Glider 8612R over-controlled in turbulence on tow climb. Towplane released line, stalled and crashed. ## Other investigations on N5300G (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC06CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA060), Jan 20, 2006: Cessna 305A (N5300G), Seboeis, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from power lines, while attempting to land on a frozen lake. 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.