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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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April 11, 1987 · Cessna 172P · N55309

Berwick, ME

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Berwick, ME
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N55309
Operator
David T Allen
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC87FA120

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DOING STALLS. A WITNESS SAID THAT PRIOR TO THE CRASH HE SAW THE NOSE LOWER AND THE RIGHT WING DROP. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED INTO A SPIRAL. IT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING INTO TREES IN A SPIRAL. THE PLT WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE LEFT PILOT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER WITH NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS A PILOT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DOING STALLS. A WITNESS SAID THAT PRIOR TO THE CRASH HE SAW THE NOSE LOWER AND THE RIGHT WING DROP. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ENTERED INTO A SPIRAL. IT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING INTO TREES IN A SPIRAL. THE PLT WAS FOUND IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE LEFT PILOT SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER WITH NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE AS A PILOT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:10 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN55309
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDavid T Allen
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point68 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data