# NTSB NYC89LA060: Cessna 170A, N1432D, Speculator, NY, January 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1989, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Speculator, NY
- Coordinates: 43.580017, -74.380584 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5800&lon=-74.3806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA060

## Probable cause

INACCURATE INFLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS BY THE PILOT WHO INADVERTENTLY FLEW HIS AIRCRAFT FROM VFR INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WHILE MAKING A DESCENT AT NIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES ABOUT 20 MILES NORTH OF SPECULATOR, NEW YORK AND WAS DEMOLISHED. WEATHER REPORTED AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE WAS CLEAR SKIES. HOWEVER, AS THE FLIGHT APPROACHED IT'S DESTINATION, WEATHER BEGAN TO DETERIORATE AND THE PILOT DEVERTED TO GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK.DURING DESCENT IN DARKNESS, AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1432D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1432D-1989-03-16), registration cancelled 1989-03-16, S/N 20141 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20141
- Airframe hours: 2127
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas King
- Registered owner: Douglas King
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: 5B7, TROY, NY
- Destination: TUPPER LAKE, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 244 total, 41 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 27 °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 19890101000079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890101000079A), Jan 1, 1989: Cessna 170A, Speculator, NY, Destroyed. Lost control descending through clouds. Broke out,recovered but failed to notice continued descent into trees.

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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