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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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NTSB Report

May 21, 1985 · Cessna TR-182 · N756ZM

Grand Island, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 21, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Grand Island, NY
Aircraft
Cessna TR-182
Tail Number
N756ZM
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85FA131

THE FLT HAD BEEN ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR OVER THE NIAGARA FALLS. THE PLT THEN STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO GIVE HIS PAX A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW FAST THE ACFT APPEARS TO BE TRAVELING WHEN IT IS CLOSE TO THE WATER. THE PLT THEN BEGAN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN OVER THE NIAGARA RIVER. THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PAX STATED THAT HE TURNED IN HIS SEAT TO SPEAK TO HIS WIFE & THE NEXT THING HE KNEW, HE WAS IN THE WATER. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN OVER THE RIVER WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE WATER & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED DISINTEGRATING ON IMPACT. THE SURVIVING PAX & WITNESSES STATED THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL UNTIL IMPACT.

Full Narrative

THE FLT HAD BEEN ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING TOUR OVER THE NIAGARA FALLS. THE PLT THEN STATED THAT HE WAS GOING TO GIVE HIS PAX A DEMONSTRATION OF HOW FAST THE ACFT APPEARS TO BE TRAVELING WHEN IT IS CLOSE TO THE WATER. THE PLT THEN BEGAN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN OVER THE NIAGARA RIVER. THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PAX STATED THAT HE TURNED IN HIS SEAT TO SPEAK TO HIS WIFE & THE NEXT THING HE KNEW, HE WAS IN THE WATER. WITNESSES IN THE AREA OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A LEFT DESCENDING TURN OVER THE RIVER WHICH CONTINUED UNTIL THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE WATER & THE ACFT CARTWHEELED DISINTEGRATING ON IMPACT. THE SURVIVING PAX & WITNESSES STATED THE ENG SOUNDED NORMAL UNTIL IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:55 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna TR-182
Tail NumberN756ZM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-L3C5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (3 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal3
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 55 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 7 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:55
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data