# NTSB NYC91FA196: Cessna 152, N6494Q, New Paltz, NY, August 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1991, 10:17 local (14:17 UTC)
- Place: New Paltz, NY
- Coordinates: 41.739707, -74.079536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7397&lon=-74.0795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91FA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91FA196

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) TO ASSURE THAT THE PROPER ALTITUDE WAS MAINTAINED.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE CFI'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) BEGAN INSTRUCTING WHEN HE HAD ABOUT 194 HRS OF FLT TIME.  HE HAD BEEN INSTRUCTING FOR 2 MONTHS AND HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 338 HOURS OF FLT TIME WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  THE SCHEDULED LESSON FOR THIS FLIGHT INCLUDED STALLS, STEEP TURNS AND FORCED LANDINGS.  JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN A STEEPLY BANKED RIGHT TURN WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING 'LOUD AND CLEAR.'  A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING 'WIDE OPEN' WHEN THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED BY IMPACT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE AIRCRAFT HAD IMPACTED IN ABOUT A 70 DEG DIVE. WRECKAGE WAS SCATTERED IN A FAN SHAPED AREA; THE ENGINE CAME TO REST 252 FT FROM THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6494Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6494Q-1992-09-16), registration cancelled 1992-09-16, S/N 15285263 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 152085263
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Richmor Aviation Inc.
- Registered owner: Richmor Aviation Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: POU, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 338 total, 112 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °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 19910802031379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910802031379A), Aug 2, 1991: Cessna 152, New Paltz, NY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates aircraft stalled and dived near vertical to ground. Witness observed stall at low altitude.

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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