# NTSB NYC92LA043: Cessna 177B, N30832, Dalmatia, PA, December 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1991, 16:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place: Dalmatia, PA
- Coordinates: 40.64923, -76.869392 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6492&lon=-76.8694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA043
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA043

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE AND OBJECT CLEARANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH POWER LINES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT, 'WHILE FLYING SOUTHWEST ABOVE THE RIVER WITH MY ATTENTION ON OTHER THINGS I ALLOWED MY ALTITUDE TO DETERIORATE TO THE POINT THAT WHEN I SAW THE WIRES IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID THEM.'  THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN THE RIVER AND THE PILOT SWAM TO SHORE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30832](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30832-1998-03-30), registration cancelled 1998-03-30, S/N 17701492 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17701492
- Airframe hours: 2404
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Neil D. Sturm
- Registered owner: Neil D. Sturm
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1991, 11 hours before
- Departed: SEG, SELLENSGROVE, PA
- Destination: OPS7, HALIFAX, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 208 total, 182 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °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 19911208055039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911208055039A), Dec 8, 1991: Cessna 177B, Dalmatia, PA, Destroyed. Struck power lines over susquehanna river and crashed into water. Was observed following river at low altitude.

## Other investigations on N30832 (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 CHI71DBJ40](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI71DBJ40), Oct 30, 1970: Cessna 177B (N30832), Barryton, MI, 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.

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