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NTSB Report
May 16, 1992 · Cessna 172 · N54860
Caldwell, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1992
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Caldwell, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N54860
Operator
Mac Dan Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO92LA066
THE PILOT REPORTED TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL THAT HE WAS HAVING CONTROL PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER HE DEPARTED ON THE IFR FLIGHT; HE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO CDW. THE PILOT WAS VECTORED FOR THE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22; HOWEVER DURING THE APPROACH THE FLIGHT DEVIATED LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE. WHEN HE SIGHTED THE RUNWAY, IT WAS OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE, AND ABOUT 600 TO 700 FEET BELOW. HE BANKED STEEPLY RIGHT, LOWERED FLAPS 10 DEGREES AND SIDESLIPPED THE AIRPLANE TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN, OVERRAN THE RUNWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH A RAVINE. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT THE LAST 200 FEET OF THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE LOGBOOK, THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED AN INSTRUMENT RATING MORE THAN SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD NOT LOGGED ANY ACTUAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME SINCE THEN.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IFR OPERATION. CONTRIBUTING WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT REPORTED TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL THAT HE WAS HAVING CONTROL PROBLEMS SHORTLY AFTER HE DEPARTED ON THE IFR FLIGHT; HE REQUESTED TO RETURN TO CDW. THE PILOT WAS VECTORED FOR THE LOCALIZER APPROACH TO RUNWAY 22; HOWEVER DURING THE APPROACH THE FLIGHT DEVIATED LEFT OF THE LOCALIZER COURSE. WHEN HE SIGHTED THE RUNWAY, IT WAS OFF HIS RIGHT SIDE, AND ABOUT 600 TO 700 FEET BELOW. HE BANKED STEEPLY RIGHT, LOWERED FLAPS 10 DEGREES AND SIDESLIPPED THE AIRPLANE TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN, OVERRAN THE RUNWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH A RAVINE. WITNESSES REPORTED THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ABOUT THE LAST 200 FEET OF THE RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE LOGBOOK, THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED AN INSTRUMENT RATING MORE THAN SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. HE HAD NOT LOGGED ANY ACTUAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT TIME SINCE THEN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:20 EDT
Nearest AirportCALDWELL (0nm)
Runway22
Runway Length4553 ft
Runway Width80 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN54860
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMac Dan Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 8 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:21
Weather SourceWFAC