# NTSB NYC91FA115: Cessna 172G, N6005R, New Bedford, MA, April 9, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1991, 12:08 local (17:08 UTC)
- Place: New Bedford, MA
- Location: 41.6613° N, 70.9379° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Bedford, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6613&lon=-70.9379&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA115

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AFTER ENCOUNTERING ADVERSE WEATHER AT LOW ALTITUDE.  THE ADVERSE WEATHER (FOG) WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

TWO ACFT DEPD NEW BEDFORD ON FLTS TO MARTHA'S VINYARD, MA. THE PLT OF ONE ACFT DIVERTED TO ANOTHER ARPT DUE TO DETERIORATING WX AT THE DESTN.  THE 2ND ACFT DID NOT ARRIVE & WAS FOUND LATER WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN NEW BEDFORD HARBOR.  A WITNESS IN A FISHING BOAT SAID HE HAD SEEN AN ACFT FLYING AT LOW ALT (APRX 100 FT) TOWARD THE HARBOR. SCATTERED FOG WAS RPRTD IN THE BAY AREA.  THERE WERE INDICATIONS THE ACFT HAD IMPACTED IN A RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE, FATALLY INJURING THE OCCUPANTS; HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL IMPACT WAS NOT OBSERVED.  NO BREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6005R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6005R-1999-10-26), registration cancelled 1999-10-26, S/N 17253674 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253674
- Airframe hours: 2686
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dennis Borges
- Registered owner: Dennis Borges
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1990, 61 hours before
- Departed: EWB, NEW BEDFORD, MA
- Destination: MVY, MARTHA VINEYARD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 991 total, 983 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWB, 6 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 19910409009499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910409009499A), Apr 9, 1991: Cessna 172G, New Bedford, MA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flight of 2 en route. One deviated to alternate due weather other crashed into harbor. Low ceiling and fog 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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