# NTSB NYC96LA144: Cessna 172A, N7371T, Pleasant Valley, NY, July 7, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1996, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Pleasant Valley, NY
- Coordinates: 41.739479, -73.819664 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7395&lon=-73.8197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA144

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain obstacle clearance from trees during a precautionary landing.  His becoming lost was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot became lost and flew beyond the intended destination. He noticed the airplane was low on fuel, so he decided to make a precautionary landing in a field. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a tree.

## Factual narrative

On July 7, 1996, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172A, N7371T, was substantially damaged upon landing rollout in a field near Pleasant Valley, New York.  The pilot, sole occupant, received serious injuries for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.  The departure point was Riverside Airport, Utica, New York.  The  destination was Oneonta Municipal Airport, Oneonta, New York.

According to the FAA, the pilot became lost and overflew the intended destination.  The pilot noticed the airplane was low on fuel and he attempted a precautionary landing on a field.  The airplane struck a tree during the landing roll.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7371T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7371T-2002-02-07), registration cancelled 2002-02-07, S/N 46971, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46971
- Airframe hours: 3219
- Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert E. Hazard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 5, 1996
- Departed: 4B2, UTICA, NY
- Destination: N66, ONEONTA, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 250 total, 150 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: POU

## 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 19960707016479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960707016479A), Jul 7, 1996: Cessna 172A, Pleasant Valley, Substantial damage. Aircraft made emergency landing in a field due to low fuel indication and struck trees.

## Other investigations on N7371T (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 NYC69A0009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC69A0009), Jul 17, 1968: Cessna 172 (N7371T), Deposit, NY, 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.