# NTSB NYC91FA095: Cessna 120, N4117N, Simsbury, CT, March 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1991, 09:05 local (14:05 UTC)
- Place: Simsbury, CT
- Location: 41.8759° N, 72.8012° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Simsbury, CT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8759&lon=-72.8012&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA095

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - psychological condition, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s), pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE MISSING AIRPLANE WAS FOUND 10 DAYS AFTER IT DEPARTED, CRASHED IN A STATE FOREST.  THE PILOT WAS FOUND DEAD LYING NEXT TO THE AIRPLANE.  ONE PASSENGER, HIS WIFE, WAS FOUND DEAD IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT.  ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S AUTOPSY REPORT, THE PILOT'S DEATH WAS 'DUE TO ACUTE ETHANOL INTOXICATION' AND THE 'FINAL MANNER OF DEATH WAS SUICIDE.'  THE AUTOPSY REPORT ON THE PASSENGER REVEALED HER DEATH WAS DUE TO 'GUNSHOT WOUNDS OF HEAD' AND THE 'MANNER OF DEATH WAS HOMICIDE.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4117N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4117N-1992-09-11), registration cancelled 1992-09-11, S/N 13575, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13575
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Korsen, Richard
- Registered owner: Korsen, Richard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: NK09, BURDETT, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: POU, 60 nm away

## 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 19910321007889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910321007889A), Mar 21, 1991: Cessna 120, Barkhamsted, CT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Missing Cessna found nose down in woods. Pilots wife fatally shot. Pilot died due self induced alcohol poisoning.

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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