# NTSB NYC90LA209: Cessna 172L, N4324Q, Montauk, NY, September 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1990, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Montauk, NY
- Coordinates: 41.039592, -71.939117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0396&lon=-71.9391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36731
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36731/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA209

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILED TO ATTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A GO AROUND, RESULTING IN THE AIRPLANE STALLING AT A LOW ALTITUDE. CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S ATTENTION WAS DIVERTED TO AIRPORT MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WORKING NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - other airport/runway maintenance - confusing, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A GO AROUND, BECAUSE OF MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL ON THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES STATED THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 4 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY WHEN THE PILOT, 'ABRUPTLY PULLED UP, PROCEEDED SLOWLY, WAVERING AND DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY.' THE PLANE THEN TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED NOSE FIRST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4324Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4324Q-1991-06-21), registration cancelled 1991-06-21, S/N 17260224 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260224
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Skylark Airpark, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 7B6, WAREHOUSE POINT, CT
- Destination: 48N, MONTAUK POINT, NY
- Airport: Montauk

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 19900901037609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900901037609A), Sep 1, 1990: Cessna 172L, Montauk, NY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Concerned about work crew at threshold of runway began go around without full power banked sharply stalled. Crashed

## Other investigations on N4324Q (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 NYC79FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC79FA070), Jul 30, 1979: Cessna 172L (N4324Q), Simsbury, CT, 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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