# NTSB NYC98LA012: Cessna 172P, N62264, Pittsfield, MA, October 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1997, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Pittsfield, MA - Location: 42.4501° N, 73.2454° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pittsfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4501&lon=-73.2454&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA012 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39489/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA012 ## Probable cause The pilot's poor in-flight decision to continue VFR flight in IFR conditions. Factor's in this accident were the pilot's inadequate pre-flight planning, and fog. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, descent - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - fog (contributing factor) ## Analysis The non-instrument rated, private pilot was flying in partial visual flight rules (VFR) conditions when he encountered instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions. The pilot continued the flight using a hand held global positioning system (GPS) receiver for navigation. While descending below the cloud layer in an attempt to reach VFR conditions the airplane struck a tree. The airplane remained in flight and a successful landing was made at a nearby airport. The pilot reported he did not receive a weather briefing, and obtained weather information for the flight by viewing the 'weather channel,' and listening to a radio broadcast from the National Weather Service. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 1997, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N62264, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during a descent near Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The certificated, non-instrument rated, private pilot and passenger were not injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the Danbury Airport (DXR), Danbury, Connecticut, destined for Montpelier, Vermont. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement the pilot said he was flying in partial Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions when he encountered Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions which completely obscured his vision. The pilot further stated: "...When I did not fly out of the fog I decided to land and wait out the weather....While descending below clouds to make VFR approach, I hit the very top of a tree that dented my right wing..." The airplane remained in flight, and the pilot declared an emergency. With help from Albany Approach Control, the pilot was able to continue to Albany, New York, where he landed. The airplane received damage to the right wing, fuselage, landing gear, and cowling. In an interview with a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector the pilot said he encountered the IFR conditions about 30 miles after departing DXR, and continued the flight using a hand held global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The pilot reported he did not receive a weather briefing, and obtained weather information for the flight by viewing the "weather channel," and listening to a radio broadcast from the National Weather Service. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62264](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62264-2010-11-19), registration cancelled 2010-11-19, S/N 17275237 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275237 - Engines: Lycoming 0320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John N. Campbell - Registered owner: Campbell Associates - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DXR, DANBURY, CT - Destination: MPV, MONTPELIER, VT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 110 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day ## 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 19971014044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971014044709A), Oct 14, 1997: Cessna 172P, Pittsfield, NY, Substantial damage. Entered cloud scud running. Descended. Hit trees but stayed aloft. Vectored to alb. Failed to obtain weather brief. ## Other investigations on N62264 (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 NYC83LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA058), Jan 30, 1983: Cessna 172P (N62264), Bridgeport, CT, 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.