Cessna 172 accident near Newfane, Vermont, June 16, 2001
On June 16, 2001 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N7106T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newfane, Vermont (Onyon Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff. A factor was the pilot's impairment due to a narcotic painkiller and antihistamine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2001 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Newfane, Vermont · Onyon Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N7106T · no longer on the register · serial 46706
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses reported that the airplane departed runway 15, made a 180 degree turn, then impacted the terrain. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Toxicological testing performed on the pilot revealed Hydrocodone and Chlorpheniramine present in the blood. Hydrocodone was a narcotic painkiller used for the control of moderate to severe pain. The levels of Hydrocodone detected were approximately 5 times higher than the level expected from a recent single dose of the medication. Hydrocodone was addictive, and known to have adverse effects on performance at therapeutic levels. Additionally, Chlorpheniramine was an antihistamine used to treat a variety of allergic reactions, but also know to have adverse effects on performance.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,350 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,364 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 4, 2000; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VT43 Newfane VT at 8:30 pm
- Destination: 3N3 Londonderry VT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 2,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,200 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 8:35 pm from EEN, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.