Casualties unknown

1991-08-02: Cessna 152 (N6494Q) — Richmor Aviation Inc. — New Paltz, NY

New Paltz, NY, US

On August 2, 1991, a Cessna 152 (registration N6494Q) operated by Richmor Aviation Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near New Paltz, NY. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) TO ASSURE THAT THE PROPER ALTITUDE WAS MAINTAINED. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE CFI'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF OPERATION. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During a training flight covering stalls and forced landings, an aircraft was seen in a steep bank at low altitude before crashing in a 70-degree dive, with the engine running at full power.

Incident Overview

A certified flight instructor (CFI) with approximately 194 hours of flight time when he began instructing was conducting a lesson when the accident occurred. By the time of the event, the instructor had accumulated about 338 total flight hours over two months of teaching. The scheduled lesson for the flight included stalls, steep turns, and forced landings.

Witness Observations

Shortly before the accident, multiple witnesses observed the airplane flying at low altitude while in a steeply banked right turn. The engine was reported as running "loud and clear." One witness specifically noted that the engine was running "wide open" at the moment the aircraft struck the ground.

Wreckage Examination

The aircraft sustained extensive damage from the impact. Evidence at the scene indicated that the airplane struck the ground in approximately a 70-degree nose-down dive. The wreckage was scattered across a fan-shaped area. The engine came to rest 252 feet from the initial impact point.

Investigation

As part of the investigation, officials examined the wreckage and witness accounts. No further details were provided regarding the aircraft type, registration, operator, or the occupants.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X17942. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.