# NTSB NYC89LA026: Cessna 177, N3208T, Pittstown, NJ, November 12, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1988, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5659° N, 74.9793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SKY MANOR (N40), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5659&lon=-74.9793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA026

## Probable cause

UNCONTROLLED CONTACT WITH TREES AFTER THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN ATTEMPTED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS COMING IN FOR A LANDING AND THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED AIRSPEED FLUCTUATIONS AND TURBULENCE. THE AIRCRAFT PORPOISED ON THE RUNWAY MULTIPLE TIMES AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT SIDE STRIKING TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3208T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3208T-1991-06-20), registration cancelled 1991-06-20, S/N 17700508 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700508
- Airframe hours: 1551
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Victor 1,Inc.
- Registered owner: Fly-One Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1N7, BLAUSTOWN, NJ
- Destination: N40, PITTSTOWN, NJ
- Airport: N40, Sky Manor, runway 24, 2,439 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 137 total, 8 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19881112051909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881112051909A), Nov 12, 1988: Cessna 177, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Bounced and porposied on landing. Lost control and struck trees bordering the runway.

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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