# NTSB NYC91FA001: Cessna 172P, N98438, Gorham, NH, October 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1990, 04:50 local (08:50 UTC)
- Place: Gorham, NH
- Location: 44.3933° N, 71.1982° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gorham, NH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3933&lon=-71.1982&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA001

## Probable cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  DARKNESS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND PILOT FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - fatigue, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FERRIED TO EUROPE & WAS ON A GREAT CIRCLE ROUTE AT NIGHT BETWEEN SYRACUSE, NY, & BANGOR, ME. THE PLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 5500 FT MSL, WHEN IT STRUCK MT WASHINGTON.  IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO PILOT & LORAN C. ACCORDING TO THE LORAN MFG, THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN 1/2 MILE OF COURSE & ON HEADING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE TOP OF MT WASHINGTON WAS OBSCURED; HOWEVER, A WITNESS 7 MILES AWAY SAW THE LIGHTS OF THE AIRPLANE & A FIREBALL FROM THE IMPACT.  THE PILOT HAD BEEN AWAKE FOR 22 HOURS, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98438](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98438-1990-10-19), registration cancelled 1990-10-19, S/N 17276292 (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: 17276292
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Operator: Van Bortel Aircraft, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1989, 0 hours before
- Departed: SYR, SYRACUSE, NY
- Destination: BGR, BANGOR, ME

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °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 19901002043949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901002043949A), Oct 2, 1990: Cessna 172P, Mount Washingto, NH, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into side of cloud-obscured mountain at night at 5500 MSL. Msa is 8300 MSL. Severe gusty surface wind in area.

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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