Aviation Crash Map

Cessna 172N N52HR

18 June 1989 · Niagara Falls, New York, United States · Minor injuries

Summary

On 18 June 1989 at about 17:18 local time, a Cessna 172N registered N52HR, operated by Edward P. Oleksky, was involved in an accident near Niagara Falls, New York, United States. 4 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 17:18
Classification
Accident
Location
Niagara Falls, New York, United States
Coordinates
43.0895, -79.0503
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Registration
N52HR
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Edward P. Oleksky
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Route
Niagara Falls → Akron
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
NYC89LA150

People

1 person had minor injuries.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
4 0 0 1 3

Probable cause

ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO OIL STARVATION AND COLLISION WITH TERRAIN DURING THE FORCED LANDING. THE OIL STARVATION WAS CAUSED BY THE OIL LEAKING OUT OF THE DRAIN BECAUSE MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL FAILED TO INSTALL THE DRAIN PLUG.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT OVER NIAGARA FALLS, NY, AND THE PILOT LANDED IN A WHEAT FIELD SHORT OF THE NIAGARA FALLS AIRPORT. THE NOSE WHEEL STUCK IN THE SOFT FIELD AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO THE PILOT OR HIS THREE PASSENGERS. THE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS MISSING ALLOWING THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE ENGINE HAD BEEN REPLACED 6 FLIGHT HOURS BEFORE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Cessna 172 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
17 Mar 1989 Cessna 172M
N80542
Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States - Fatal 2
21 Mar 1989 Cessna 172H
N1480F
Melbourne, Florida, United States - Serious injuries -
2 Jan 1989 Cessna 172
N4440L
Cheyenne, Wyoming, United States
no coordinates
- No injuries -
21 Nov 1989 Cessna 172
N63496
Bremerton, Washington, United States Flight Tech, Inc Minor injuries -
17 Aug 1989 Cessna 172P
N98584
Superior, Wisconsin, United States - Serious injuries -
4 Jan 1989 Cessna 172
N96319
Longmont, Colorado, United States Denver Air Center No injuries -

All 12,209 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
2 Jul 1989 Cessna 185
N1731R
Fishers, New York, United States
no coordinates
Paul V. Hyland No injuries -
3 Jul 1989 Cessna 152
N48683
Plattsburgh, New York, United States - No injuries -
9 Jul 1989 Cessna 177A
N3154T
Akron, New York, United States - Minor injuries -
2 Jul 1989 Cessna 152
N4953B
Oneida, New York, United States BFB Associates No injuries -
14 Jul 1989 Piper PA-28-160
N5913W
Hammond, New York, United States - Minor injuries -
14 Jul 1989 Cessna 182A
N6171B
Lancaster, New York, United States - Minor injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States