# NTSB NYC90LA001: Cessna 172P, N89219, Bingham, ME, October 1, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1989, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Bingham, ME
- Location: 45.0581° N, 69.8731° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bingham, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0581&lon=-69.8731&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA001

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING TO ASSURE THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS CAPABLE OF OUTCLIMBING THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN UNDER THE EXISTING WIND AND AIRPLANE WEIGHT CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN AN INTENTIONAL STALL INTO THE TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR(S) WAS: THE TERRAIN AND WIND CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT WITH THE PLT, 2 ADULT PAX & 3 CHILDREN AGES 5 THRU 11. AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURNOUT AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT REALIZED HE COULD NOT OUTCLIMB THE TERRAIN, SO HE SHUT EVERYTHING OFF AND STALLED INTO THE TREES. WHEN THE PILOT MADE HIS LEFT TURNOUT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING ON THE DOWNWIND SIDE OF A RIDGE WITH 10-15 KT WINDS. THE AIRPLANE'S WEIGHT & BALANCE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89219](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N89219-1990-01-23), registration cancelled 1990-01-23, S/N 17276000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276000
- Airframe hours: 2895
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Teleford Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, June 21, 1989
- Airport: ME08, Gadabout-Gaddis

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 460 total, 375 in this make and model, 330 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °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 19891001037389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891001037389A), Oct 1, 1989: Cessna 172P, Bingham, ME, Destroyed. Turned downwind after takeoff into rising terrain. Unable to climb,stalled into trees. Two children without seatbelts

## Other investigations on N89219 (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 NYC88LA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA106), Mar 11, 1988: Cessna 172 (N89219), Old Town, ME, substantial damage

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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