# NTSB NYC90LA069: Cessna 172P, N65057, Sunapee Lake, NH, February 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 9, 1990, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sunapee Lake, NH
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36612
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36612/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA069

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE LAKE, WHICH RESULTED IN UNPLANNED CONTACT WITH ITS FROZEN SURFACE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - frozen
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE ON A LOCAL FLIGHT WHEN THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SURFACE OF A FROZEN LAKE. THE AIRCRAFT THEN CARTWHEELED AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGEE. THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED. THE PILOT SAID HE LOST HIS DEPTH PERCEPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65057](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65057), registered now, S/N 17275677, 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: 17275677
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ferns Flying Service
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: CON, CONCORD, NH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 230 total, 103 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 39 °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 19900209002969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900209002969A), Feb 9, 1990: Cessna 172P, Sunapee, NH, Substantial damage. Struck rough ice on frozen lake while flying low offshore taking pictures of a house. Aircraft cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N65057 (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 IAD01LA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA104), Sep 2, 2001: Cessna 172P (N65057), Augusta, ME, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain the proper distance from a sign post during taxi.

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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