# NTSB NYC89FA206: Cessna 172P, N65595, Northfield, NH, September 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1989, 22:05 local (Sep 2, 1989, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Northfield, NH
- Location: 43.4331° N, 71.5923° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Northfield, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4331&lon=-71.5923&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89FA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89FA206

## Probable cause

THE PILOT INITIATED FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE AND THE EXISTING WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

EARLIER IN THE DAY, AT 1317 AND AT 1553, THE PLT RECEIVED WX BRIEFINGS FOR A VFR FLT FROM NEWBURYPORT TO LACONIA, TO RETURN LATER IN THE EVENING. THE 1553 BRIEFING INCLUDED AN ADVISORY THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. ACFT DEPARTED LACONIA AT 2155 FOR RETURN FLT. CONTACTED APCH CONTROL AT 2158. AT 2206 CONTROLLER TRIED TO CONTACT FLT BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. WRECKAGE FOUND NEXT MORNING. ANOTHER AIRCRAFT, WHICH HAD DEPARTED BEHIND N65595, ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS AND EXTREME TURBULENCE CAUSING IT TO CRASH IN A HAY FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65595](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65595-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 17275782, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275782
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harry P. Avakian
- Departed: LCI, LACONIA, NH
- Destination: 2B2, NEWBURYPORT, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,535 total, 1,499 in this make and model, 1,275 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CON, 12 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 19890901033259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890901033259A), Sep 1, 1989: Cessna 172P, Northfield, NH, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Continued flight into IMC and sever turbulence. Descended to try for VFR but struck cloud obscured hill. Alcohol.

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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