# NTSB NYC92FA062: Cessna 150, N6559F, White Lake, NY, February 16, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: February 16, 1992, 03:15 local (08:15 UTC) - Place: White Lake, NY - Coordinates: 41.639995, -74.86016 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6400&lon=-74.8602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92FA062 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37054/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92FA062 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO FLY INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND HIS IMPAIRMENT OF JUDGEMENT DUE TO DRUGS. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE DARK NIGHT, THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT FLYING EXPERIENCE, AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS FLYING ABILITY. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor) - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor) - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis A WITNESS ON DUTY AT THE AIRPORT HEARD AN AIRPLANE CIRCLING VERY LOW OVERHEAD; IT MADE SEVERAL CIRCLES & THEN THE SOUND CEASED. SHE SAID THE WEATHER WAS 'VERY, VERY FOGGY', AND HEARD SEVERAL 'CLICKS' SIMILAR TO THE ACTIVATION OF AN AIRPLANE MICROPHONE. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 2/19 APRX 300 FT NORTH OF THE APPROACH END OF RWY 33. THE PILOT'S 'MEMO' BOOK SHOWED THAT HE HAD PRACTICED LORAN APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT'S CFI ENDORSEMENT FOR SOLO FLIGHT HAD EXPIRED 3/19/90. THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN EARLIER IMPOUNDED & CHAINED BY A FEDERAL MARSHALL AS A RESULT OF AN INCIDENT WHEREIN THE PILOT HAD LANDED AT THE AIRPORT TWICE DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS WITHOUT A CLEARANCE FROM THE CONTROL TOWER OR ANY OTHER RADIO COMMUNICATIONS. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS DETECTED COCAINE IN THE URINE, AND BENZOYLECGONINE IN THE URINE (43.300 UG/ML), BLOOD (0.390 UG/ML), LIVER (0.394 UG/ML) AND KIDNEY (0.207 UG/ML). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6559F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6559F-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 15063159, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150 - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15063159 - Airframe hours: 1967 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert M. Lipani - Registered owner: Robert M. Lipani - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1989, 108 hours before - Departed: SUSSEX, NJ - Airport: MSV, Sullivan County Intl, runway 33, 6,300 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 245 total, 200 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark - Wind: 210° at 4 knots - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 36 °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 19920216003159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920216003159A), Feb 16, 1992: Cessna 150F, Monticello, NY, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Lost control and crashed trying to land in near zero IMC. Took aircraft impounded by us marshal. ## Other investigations on N6559F (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC67F0504](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC67F0504), Feb 12, 1967: Cessna 150 (N6559F), Whitehouse, NJ, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.