# NTSB NYC82DA032: Cessna 172K, N84330, Plymouth, MA, February 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: February 10, 1982, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MA
- Location: 41.9088° N, 70.7276° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PLYMOUTH MUNI (PYM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9088&lon=-70.7276&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72262
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA032
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72262/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA032

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS PRELANDING CHECKLIST WHILE OPPOSITE OF THE NUMBERS ON DOWNWIND. AFTER TURNING TO FINAL APPROACH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE STATED THAT HE REACHED DOWN AND SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR WITHOUT LOOKING AT IT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WITH WINDS GUSTING TO 20 KNOTS, HE WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY. HE MANEUVERED TO ALIGN THE AIRCRAFT WITH THE DIRECTION AND CONTOUR OF A ROAD FOR LANDING. HOWEVER, DURING THE LANDING, THE WING TIPS STRUCK SMALL TREES. AFTER THE MISHAP, THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION. THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER TURNING IT OFF. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY DURING A SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONAL CHECK. THE ENGINE WAS TESTED TO SEE HOW LONG IT WOULD RUN AFTER THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS TURNED OFF. AT 2100 RPM, IT CONTINUED OPERATING FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. AT 1200 TO 1500 RPM, IT CONTINUED RUNNING ABOUT 70 SECONDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N84330](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N84330), registered now, S/N 17258421, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258421
- Airframe hours: 3114
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dale Bessey
- Registered owner: Dale Bessey
- Departed: NEW BEDFORD, MA
- Destination: PLYMOUTH, MA
- Airport: PYM, Plymouth County, runway 33, 2,500 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 509 total, 230 in this make and model, 340 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19820210003139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820210003139A), Feb 10, 1982: Cessna 172K, Plymouth, MA, Substantial damage. Changing tanks, inadvertently placed fuel selector in off position in pattern. Struck trees landing on a road.

## Other investigations on N84330 (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC75AN010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75AN010), Jul 21, 1974: Cessna 172K (N84330), Jaffrey, NH, minor damage, 1 fatal

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.

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