# NTSB NYC03LA025: Cessna 172G, N1152F, Stow, MA, November 23, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 23, 2002, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Stow, MA - Coordinates: 42.460277, -71.517776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4603&lon=-71.5178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 13, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 56122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56122/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA025 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance. A factor in this accident was gusty wind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot reported the airplane was on final approach to runway 30, a 1,600 foot-long, gravel runway, when it experienced a sudden downdraft. The airplane struck trees and came to rest short of the runway threshold. The pilot stated he did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. Winds reported at an airport about 12 miles east of the accident site were from 300 degrees at 19 knots, with 31 knot gusts. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 2002, about 1240 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172G, N1152F, was substantially damaged when it struck trees while on approach to Minute Man Air Field (6B6), Stow, Massachusetts. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The CFI reported he was conducting a demonstration flight in the airplane for the passenger, who was interested in purchasing the airplane and receiving flight instruction. They departed 6B6, and landed at the Fitchburg Municipal Airport (FIT), Fitchburg, Massachusetts. They then departed FIT to return to 6B6. The CFI reported the airplane was on final approach to runway 30, a 1,600-foot long, gravel runway, when he experienced a sudden downdraft. The airplane struck trees and came to rest short of the runway threshold. The CFI further stated that he did not experience any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The CFI reported 8,000 hours of total flight experience, which included about 5,000 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane. Winds reported at an airport about 12 miles east of the accident site, at 1256, were from 300 degrees at 19 knots, with 31 knot gusts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1152F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1152F-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 17254747, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172G - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17254747 - Airframe hours: 7129 - Engines: Continental O-300-D-6-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Critchley - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2002, 15 hours before - Departed: FIT, FITCHBURG, MA - Destination: 6B6, Stow, MA - Airport: 6B6, Minute Man Air Field, runway 30, 1,600 × 70 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review July 23, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 5,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 19 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft overcast - Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.45 inHg - Observed at: BED, 12 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20021123033299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021123033299A), Nov 23, 2002: Cessna 172G, Stow, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft clipped trees on landing runway 30 at Stow and landed short of the runway. The two people on board were not injured. The latest surface… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.