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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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August 17, 1985 · Cessna C-305A · N5250G

Brooklyn, NY

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Brooklyn, NY
Aircraft
Cessna C-305A
Tail Number
N5250G
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC85FA213

DURING AN AERIAL BANNER TOW OPERATION AT LOW LEVEL ALONG THE BEACH, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE BANK SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND DIVE INTO THE WATER. WITNESSES RECALL THE ENGINE NOISE TO HAVE BEEN LOUD YET SPUTTERING BEFORE THE IMPACT. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE CARRY THRU AILERON CABLE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND OVERLOAD FORCES. WIRE FRACTURE ANALYSIS DID NOT DIFFERENTIATE PRE OR POST IMPACT FAILURE.

Full Narrative

DURING AN AERIAL BANNER TOW OPERATION AT LOW LEVEL ALONG THE BEACH, WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE BANK SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND DIVE INTO THE WATER. WITNESSES RECALL THE ENGINE NOISE TO HAVE BEEN LOUD YET SPUTTERING BEFORE THE IMPACT. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE CARRY THRU AILERON CABLE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR AND OVERLOAD FORCES. WIRE FRACTURE ANALYSIS DID NOT DIFFERENTIATE PRE OR POST IMPACT FAILURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:07 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna C-305A
Tail NumberN5250G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-11 · Reciprocating · 213
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data