# NTSB NYC91LA166: Cessna C-172, N733FB, Clarence Center, NY, July 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1991, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Clarence Center, NY
- Coordinates: 43.0004, -78.630928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0004&lon=-78.6309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA166

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING A HEAVY WEIGHT TAKEOFF, RESULTING IN A STALL AND LANDING IN ROUGH TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOADED THE AIRPLANE WITH 3 PASSENGERS AND STARTED A TAKEOFF ON THE SHORT, GRASS RUNWAY.  THE WINDS WERE LIGHT AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS 86 DEGREES F.  AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE PILOT SAID HE FELT THE AIRPLANE MIGHT NOT CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY.  HE MADE A TURN TO AVOID THE TREES AND STALLED THE AIRPLANE.  HE LANDED IN ROUGH TERRAIN AND DESTROYED THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE OF 152 HOURS AND 30 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733FB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733FB-1994-08-30), registration cancelled 1994-08-30, S/N 17268252 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C-172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268252
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Augusta Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Augusta Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Airport: D46, Potoczak, runway 36, 2,230 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 152 total, 30 in this make and model, 75 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °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 19910702025639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910702025639A), Jul 2, 1991: Cessna 172N, Clarence Center, NY, Destroyed. Near gross weight,short grass runway,light wind,and hot day. Unable to clear trees. Stalled turning to avoid same.

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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