Cessna C172 accident near Poestenkill, New York, May 4, 1985
On May 4, 1985 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Cessna C172, registered N172TD, was substantially damaged in an accident near Poestenkill, New York (Rensselaer CO. airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 4, 1985 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- Poestenkill, New York · Rensselaer CO. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna C172
- Registration
- N172TD · registry record · serial 17258939
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
CESSNA 172TD ENCOUNTERED STRONG GUSTY CROSSWIND WHILE TAKING FROM RENSSELAER AIRPARK AND DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT VERRED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OFF THE RUN-WAY AND COLLID WITH THE TERRAIN. FULL RIGHT RUDDER WAS APPLIED TO CORRECT THE DEVIATION. BUT AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO ROLL INTO THE TREES.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 958 hours in all; 200 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 753 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,048 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 15, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Poestenkill NY at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 2,800 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.