Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC91FA001

GORHAM, NH, USA

Aircraft #1

N98438

CESSNA 172P

Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING FERRIED TO EUROPE & WAS ON A GREAT CIRCLE ROUTE AT NIGHT BETWEEN SYRACUSE, NY, & BANGOR, ME. THE PLANE WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 5500 FT MSL, WHEN IT STRUCK MT WASHINGTON. IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTO PILOT & LORAN C. ACCORDING TO THE LORAN MFG, THE AIRPLANE WAS WITHIN 1/2 MILE OF COURSE & ON HEADING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE TOP OF MT WASHINGTON WAS OBSCURED; HOWEVER, A WITNESS 7 MILES AWAY SAW THE LIGHTS OF THE AIRPLANE & A FIREBALL FROM THE IMPACT. THE PILOT HAD BEEN AWAKE FOR 22 HOURS, WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

Probable Cause and Findings

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND PILOT FATIGUE.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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