# NTSB NYC93FA013: Cessna 195, N4308V, Shenandoah, PA, October 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1992, 11:33 local (15:33 UTC)
- Place: Shenandoah, PA
- Coordinates: 40.820976, -76.209358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8210&lon=-76.2094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37233
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93FA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37233/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93FA013

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO PILOT INCAPACITATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed(vne) - exceeded
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded
  - wing - overload
  - wing - separation

## Analysis

RADAR DATA SHOWED THE AIRPLANE IN A CLIMB TO 7800 FT, LEVEL AT 7700 FT FOR APPROX 1 MINUTE, AND THEN ENTER A DESCENT. THE RADAR DATA WAS PUT INTO A COMPUTER PROGRAM WHICH SHOWED THAT THE HIGHEST VERTICAL SPEED RECORDED WAS 19,000 FPM, WITH A TAS OF 279.9 KTS (321.9 MPH). EVIDENCE OF FLUTTER WAS FOUND ON THE ELEVATOR, WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZERS, AND THE WINGS HAD FAILED SYMMETRICALLY IN NEGATIVE LOADING. THE PILOT HAD BEEN TAKING VASOTEC FOR HYPERTENSION. DATA SUPPLIED FROM FLIGHT TESTING FOUND THAT IF THE AIRPLANE WAS TRIMMED FOR A CLIMB AT 112 MPH, AND THE POWER WAS NOT CHANGED, A 13 POUND FORWARD FORCE ON THE CONTROL WHEEL WOULD CAUSE THE AIRPLANE TO ACCELERATE TO 196 MPH. THE NEVER EXCEED SPEED FOR THE AIRPLANE IS 200 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4308V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4308V-2012-11-21), registration cancelled 2012-11-21, S/N 7215, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 195
- Registry model: [Cessna 195](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-195) (registry code 2073102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7215
- Airframe hours: 3163
- Engines: JACOBS R755B-2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herbert A. Schaffner
- Registered owner: Herbert A. Schaffner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1992, 40 hours before
- Departed: 9D4, MYERSTOWN, PA
- Destination: BGM, BINGHAMTON, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,225 total, 1,260 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDG, 29 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 19921010041519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921010041519A), Oct 10, 1992: Cessna 195, Shenandoah, PA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Came apart in dive that exceeded vne. Cause unkown. Possible tail flutter. Tip weights separated from elevators.

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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