Cessna 177 N3401T

Summary

On 23 April 1985 at about 16:30 local time, a Cessna 177 registered N3401T was involved in an accident near Claryville, New York, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured, 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

23 April 1985 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Claryville, New York, United States

Coordinates

41.9792, -74.5696

Aircraft

Cessna 177

Registration

N3401T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Frederick → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC85FFA02

1 person was seriously injured.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES DURING A PRECAUTIONARY LNDG DUE TO THE PLTS EST OF A LOW FUEL STATE. THE FLT HAD PROCEEDED R ENROUTE TO AN INTENDED DEST OF OXFORD ME FROM FREDERICK MD WITHOUT FILLING A FLT PLAN. AFTER APRX 3 HRS OF FLYING ON A 60 DEGREE MAG HDG THE PLT DECIDED TO DESCEND THROUGH THE CLOUD DECK TO LOOK FOR AN ARPT TO REFUEL OR A FIELD FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LNDGING DUE TO LOW FUEL STATE. THE DESCENT WAS MADE FROM 9500 FT TO 3500 FT FINALLY IN DETERIORATING WX. CLARYVILLE NY WAS CIRCLED A FEW TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT AT ORIGINATION. THE PLT NEVER USED THE RADIO,HE SAID.TO TRY FOR 2 WAY COMMUNICATION FOR NAV AID. AN ATTEMPT TO LAND IN A FIELD NW OF CLARYVILLE ENDED IN AN OVERSHOOT & ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND BEFORE FLYING UNDER WIRES & STRIKING TREES. THE ACFT WAS IMPALED ABOUT 12 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE NEVER CONSIDERED MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN DURING THE DETERIORATING WX EVEN THOUGH HE WAS UNSURE OF HIS POSITION WHEN STARTING THE DESCENT FROM 9500 FT. ONE WING TANK WAS RUPTURED IN THE CRASH & THE PLT COULD NOT EST FUEL REMAINING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.