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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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February 20, 1986 · Cessna 172N · N739SP

Andover, NJ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 20, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Andover, NJ
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N739SP
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC86FA077

THE STUDENT PLT HAD DIFFICULTY LANDING THE ACFT AND INSTRUCTOR HAD DEVOTED TRAINING SESSION TO LANDING TECHNIQUE. THE DIFFICULTY WAS REPORTED TO BE A TENDENCY TO OVER-FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. SATISFIED THE STUDENT HAD CORRECTED HIS PROBLEM AREA, THE THIRD SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT WAS ALLOWED. AFTER ONE SUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF AND LANDING THE STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKEOFF AND LAND ONE MORE TIME. UPON LANDING, THE ACFT OVER-FLARED AND A GO-AROUND WAS ATTEMPTED. THE STUDENT ENTERED A DEPARTURE STALL/SPIN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED VERTICALLY WITH A FROZEN LAKE BED. THE STUDENT WAS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN AND HAD BEEN WORKING STEADILY FOR THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. TOX REPORT INDICATED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE. COCAINE WAS ALSO FOUND IN STUDENT'S PANT POCKET.

Full Narrative

THE STUDENT PLT HAD DIFFICULTY LANDING THE ACFT AND INSTRUCTOR HAD DEVOTED TRAINING SESSION TO LANDING TECHNIQUE. THE DIFFICULTY WAS REPORTED TO BE A TENDENCY TO OVER-FLARE PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN. SATISFIED THE STUDENT HAD CORRECTED HIS PROBLEM AREA, THE THIRD SUPERVISED SOLO FLIGHT WAS ALLOWED. AFTER ONE SUCCESSFUL TAKEOFF AND LANDING THE STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO TAKEOFF AND LAND ONE MORE TIME. UPON LANDING, THE ACFT OVER-FLARED AND A GO-AROUND WAS ATTEMPTED. THE STUDENT ENTERED A DEPARTURE STALL/SPIN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED VERTICALLY WITH A FROZEN LAKE BED. THE STUDENT WAS A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN AND HAD BEEN WORKING STEADILY FOR THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. TOX REPORT INDICATED POSITIVE FOR COCAINE. COCAINE WAS ALSO FOUND IN STUDENT'S PANT POCKET.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:47 EST
Nearest AirportAeroflex - Andover (1nm NE)
Runway3
Runway Length2004 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN739SP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360°
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data