# NTSB NYC89FA080: Bellanca 7GCBC, Lyon Mountain, NY, February 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1989, 21:30 local (Feb 11, 1989, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Lyon Mountain, NY
- Coordinates: 44.719463, -73.920783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7195&lon=-73.9208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA080

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DECIDED TO FLY IN WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WERE BEYOND HIS AND THE AIRCRAFT'S CAPABILITIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft/equipment inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT OF A BELLANCA 7GCBC WAS ON FERRY FLIGHT, WHEN HE FLEW INTO A SNOW STORM. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN CIRCLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND THEN WAS SEEN HEADING TOWARDS HIGH TERRAIN AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED INTO THE SIDE OF A 4100 FOOT MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 2900 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGBHN (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7GCBC
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1166-79
- Airframe hours: 144
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Taylor
- Registered owner: Mr Robert Jack Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: YKG, KINGSTON
- Destination: YSJ, FREDERICTON
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 14 °F, dew point 12 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SLK, 27 nm away

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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