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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 4, 1992 · Cessna 172E · N3847S

Tuckahoe, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 1992
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Tuckahoe, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172E
Tail Number
N3847S
Operator
David L Erb
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO92LA126

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AT 1630 EST FOR THE FLIGHT. AT THE TIME, HE INDICATED THAT HE WOULD DEPART AT 1900 EST WITH AN EN ROUTE TIME OF 45 MINUTES. HE INDICATED TO A FAMILY MEMBER THAT HE WOULD ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION BETWEEN 1900 AND 1930 EST. THE PILOT DEPARTED AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME. THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED OVERDUE AND SEARCH AUTHORITIES LOCATED THE AIRPLANE TWO DAYS LATER. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A SWAMP AREA, ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS STREWN A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FEET. THE WEATHER IN THE AREA AT 2000 EST WAS REPORTED AS 200 FEET OVERCAST AND THE VISIBILITY WAS 0.50 MILES IN FOG. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE ACCIDENT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1945.

NTSB Probable Cause

VFR FLIGHT BY THE PILOT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS (IMC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK (OR DARKNESS), AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING AT 1630 EST FOR THE FLIGHT. AT THE TIME, HE INDICATED THAT HE WOULD DEPART AT 1900 EST WITH AN EN ROUTE TIME OF 45 MINUTES. HE INDICATED TO A FAMILY MEMBER THAT HE WOULD ARRIVE AT THE DESTINATION BETWEEN 1900 AND 1930 EST. THE PILOT DEPARTED AT AN UNDETERMINED TIME. THE AIRPLANE WAS REPORTED OVERDUE AND SEARCH AUTHORITIES LOCATED THE AIRPLANE TWO DAYS LATER. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A SWAMP AREA, ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND IN A STEEP RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE. THE WRECKAGE WAS STREWN A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 300 FEET. THE WEATHER IN THE AREA AT 2000 EST WAS REPORTED AS 200 FEET OVERCAST AND THE VISIBILITY WAS 0.50 MILES IN FOG. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. THE ACCIDENT WAS PRESUMED TO HAVE OCCURRED AT ABOUT 1945.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172E
Tail NumberN3847S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid L Erb
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDusk
Wind320° @ 4 kt
CeilingOvercast 200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:14
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data