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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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February 26, 1987 · Cessna 402 · N36139

Montgomery, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 26, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Montgomery, NY
Aircraft
Cessna 402
Tail Number
N36139
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
NYC87FA098

BOTH ACFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES IN THE VICINITY OF ACTIVE AIRPORTS. THE CESSNA 402 WAS IN A CRUISE DESCENT. THE DECATHLON WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT. NEITHER PILOT IN THE 402 RECALLS SEEING THE DECATHLON, WHICH WAS STRUCK ON THE RT WING. THE DECATHLON PLT TOOK EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID THE COLLISION HEAD ON. THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE MID-AIR COLLISION THEY WERE OCCUPIED WITH WATCHING A MILITARY C5A TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT WHICH WAS OPERATING IN THE SAME AREA. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE DECATHLON DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND TURNED 180 DEGREES BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RETURN TO ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT AND LAND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Full Narrative

BOTH ACFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES IN THE VICINITY OF ACTIVE AIRPORTS. THE CESSNA 402 WAS IN A CRUISE DESCENT. THE DECATHLON WAS IN LEVEL FLIGHT. NEITHER PILOT IN THE 402 RECALLS SEEING THE DECATHLON, WHICH WAS STRUCK ON THE RT WING. THE DECATHLON PLT TOOK EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID THE COLLISION HEAD ON. THE PILOTS OF BOTH AIRCRAFT STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE MID-AIR COLLISION THEY WERE OCCUPIED WITH WATCHING A MILITARY C5A TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT WHICH WAS OPERATING IN THE SAME AREA. AFTER THE COLLISION, THE DECATHLON DESCENDED OUT OF CONTROL AND TURNED 180 DEGREES BEFORE THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND RETURN TO ORANGE COUNTY AIRPORT AND LAND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway34
Runway Length6006 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 402
Tail NumberN36139
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-VB · Reciprocating · 325 | Lycoming · AEIO-320-E1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 60 · First Class
Crew 2Age 50 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 12 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data